Discover BOWLAND Official guide to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Featuring walks, short-break itineraries, events, local produce, wildlife, family activities & more!

k up yo ic ur P Free Guide Donations to w k w Champion Bowland .u w g . welcome! r ch .o am nd pionbowla Cover image: © Graham Cooper © Graham Cooper Contents Welcome to Bowland 3 Making the Most of Your Bowland Visit 4 Discovery Map 7 The Green Shoots of Recovery 14 Best of Bowland 18 Festival Bowland Events 2021 27 Noticing Nature 32 Testing Times 36 From to The Pennine Way 40 Lockdown Diaries 44 An Essential Community Hub 45 Welcome to Bowland Good Housekeeping 46 Electrifying Growth 47 A New Whey of Doing Business 48 Home Delivery 49 Unsung Heroes 50 Farming for the Future 54 As we reflect on the impact of 2020 and the changes Nature’s Calendar 58 Champion Support for Bentham Buzzy Bees 64 to all of our lives, we take reassurance from some of A Stargazer’s Paradise 66 Plants from a Pastel Palette 68 the positives that have emerged, one of which has Flawlessly Bleak 72 Discover Bowland Itineraries 75 been people’s connection with nature. Journey to the Centre of the Kingdom 78 Forest and Adventure 84 hether that’s been exploring success of our 2020 online programme - Fields, Fells and Fabulous Local Food 90 parks or walks from our while also looking forward to being able to The Hidden Bowland Dales 96 Whomes, visiting countryside for get together in person. The Secrets of Pendle Hill 102 the first time or appreciating even more Some of the features focus on the tourism Countryside Code 109 our beautiful National Landscapes (www. businesses who’ve adapted their practices Walk This Way 110 landscapesforlife.org.uk), never has access in the most innovative ways during to green spaces been more valued. So Further Information 111 lockdown. We also shine a spotlight on we look forward in 2021 with a renewed some of the fantastic project work of the optimism and we hope that this year’s This guide is produced by the Forest of Bowland Area of AONB Partnership. Outstanding Natural Beauty guide helps build on that connection with Tel: 01200 448000 Email: bowland@.gov.uk nature, and provides some inspiration for Our suite of area-based itineraries will facebook.com/bowlandaonb visiting both virtually and in person! help you explore all the hidden corners of Facebook Twitter Twitter LinkedIn Google + My Space Tumblr Bebo twitter.com/forestofbowland Bowland and link you with some wonderful Facebook Twitter Twitter LinkedIn Google + My Space Tumblr Bebo We roll out a new Festival Bowland events Disclaimer:Foursquare Delicious Digg InclusionStumbleupon Reddit in Tthisechnorati brochureSlashdot Share this does not imply hospitality businesses. If you’re looking for recommendation by the Forest of Bowland AONB. Foursquare Delicious Digg Stumbleupon Reddit Technorati Slashdot Share this programme and embrace continuing to

AlthoughYou Tube Flikr Ieffortsnstagram Pinterest areDevia ntmade Art Soundcloud toV imeoensureTwylah accuracy of this publication at a staycation this year, peruse this guide to the time of going to press, changes can occur and it is advisable to deliver some online events - building on the You Tube Flikr confirmInstagram Pinterest informationDeviant Art Soundcloud Vimeo withTwylah the relevant provider before you travel. discover and plan your perfect trip! RSS Skype

RSS Skype Designed2 bywww.foresto fbowland.com 3 Feature articles & images by Salar Media. Making the Most of Your Bowland Visit 10 Top Tips:

Are you familiar with the The area is very welcoming of four- Slow down and immerse yourself in the Visit our fantastic local businesses 1 Countryside Code? see p109 for 3 legged friends, especially in the many 6 peacefulness of the area by avoiding the 9 and specialist, artisan producers! some useful guidance. fantastic hostelries, but did you know busy spots, take your time and savour By purchasing from independent Bowland is also home to many sheep, the sights, sounds, tastes and smells businesses you’ll be supporting the local Equip yourself with OS Explorer Map cattle and ground-nesting birds? For – the fabric of rural life! For ideas of economy and dealing with people that 41 (Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale) the opportunity to experience some where to visit for an authentic Bowland care and who are passionate about to navigate your way around the wonderful wildlife encounters be sure to experience, take a look at our area- going the extra mile. For inspiration area and if you’re unfamiliar with keep dogs on a lead (note: if you are with based itineraries featured on p75-108. visit: www.discoverbowland.uk map reading, why not learn a new a dog and cattle chase you, it is safer to let skill in 2021? There are some great A great introduction to discovering During the last year we’ve all become go of your dog’s lead). For walking safely online resources available, such as and enjoying the natural and cultural more used to change and observing information visit: www.forestofbowland. 7 10 this: getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ heritage of the AONB is via our local guidance and variance, and com/walking-information guides/beginners-guides-map-reading/ Festival Bowland programme, with by considering the above you’ll be Farming is the mainstay of rural life opportunities throughout the year. assured of a warm welcome during The Forest of Bowland has a fantastic in Bowland, so if you are exploring There are a variety of sessions run by your visit! Let’s continue to help network of Public Rights of Way. 2 4 by car, enjoy a slower pace of life local experts and organisations, as well keep everyone safe by respecting local Plenty of quiet lanes which are great and keep an eye out for livestock as events for all the family. For further communities, other path users and for cycling. So why not leave the car moseying on the roads. For further information visit: www.forestofbowland. landowners and keeping an eye out for behind and explore some of the many information about farming in Bowland com/Festival-Bowland-Events local signage or diversions. unique villages steeped in history, or visit: www.forestofbowland.com/Farming simply indulge in some delicious local Bowland is particularly special because produce in fantastic cafes, restaurants We celebrate the seasons here in 8 of the seasonal contrasts – from Note: and inns. For walking and cycling route 5 Bowland, it’s what brings the vibrancy woodlands carpeted with bluebells Please plan your visit in line with information visit: in colours and wonderful variety of in the spring to the heather-clad current Coronavirus Government www.forestofbowland.com/walks- animal, bird and plant life! So don’t let of late summer. You can do guidance and check individual websites activities a bit of rain stop you, just bring along the your bit to protect our special wildlife and for up to date information. right gear - waterproofs, wellies or boots habitats by sticking to paths, not having are a must! bbqs or fires and taking your litter home. Enjoy your Bowland Adventure!

4 www.forestofbowland.com 5 golf – fishing – cycling – glamping pods – luxury lodges – holiday cottages touring caravans golf fishing cycling glamping pods – luxury lodges – holiday cottages – touring caravans - golf – fishing – cycling – glamping pods – luxury lodges – holiday cottages – touring caravans - golf – fishing – cycling – glamping pods – luxury lodges – holiday cottages – touring caravans golf – fishing – cycling – glamping pods – luxury lodges – holiday cottages – touring caravans - golf – fishing – cycling – glamping pods luxury lodges holiday cottages touring caravans golf – fishing – cycling – glamping pods – luxury lodges – holiday cottages – touring caravans - golf – fishing – cycling – glamping pods – luxury lodges – holiday cottages – touring caravans Discovery Map

Why not stay a while and explore the area at your leisure? The Forest of Bowland offers a wide range of quality accommodation.

The following providers have supported this guide and are all members of the Forest of Bowland Sustainable Tourism Network:

1 Chestnut Cottage – 8 Higher Gills Farm – 2 Cobden View – 9 Lakewood Cottages – 3 Dale House Barn and B&B – 10 Laythams Holiday Let Retreats – Gisburn Forest 4 Eldroth House Holiday Cottages – 11 Orchard Glamping – Eldroth 12 Peaks and Pods – Rathmell 5 Fell View Caravan Park – Scorton Pay & Play 13 E-Bikes – 6 Gin from just £12.50 14 Wenningdale Escapes – Bentham 7 Height Top Farm – Higham Driving Range & Golf Shop 15 Wild Boar Park – Chipping

Stay & Play Luxury Lodges Luxury Glamping Pods For Sale or Hire

Static Holiday Homes Touring pitches

tel 015242 62455 wenningdale.co.uk riversidecaravanpark.co.uk © Eldroth House7 Walking Route Start Information Centre 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km N Cycling Route Start Un-staffed 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles Information Centre Viewpoint Dark Sky Petrol Station 0 1 2 3 4 5Discovery6 Sites7 8 9 10 km Picnic Site To download walking routes visit : N Station 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km 0Coronation1 Meadow2 3 4 5 6 Miles 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km www.forestofbowland.com/walking N 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles N 0 1 2 3 4 50 6 1 7 8 2 9 130 km 4 5 6 Miles 0 1 2 3 4 50 6 1 7 8 2 9 130 km 4 5 6 Miles N 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km N 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km N N 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km Produced by Countryscape.Produced by Contains Ordnance Survey copyright and database right data © Crown 2021 N 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miles

8 www.forestofbowland.com 9 Orchard Chestnut Cottage Lakewood Cottages Height Top Farm Glamping Visit HHHH Delightful cottage in the Orchard Glamping is the Visit England HHHH grounds of the owner’s perfect retreat in which to home, extended in explore the great outdoors. Two delightful cottages nestling close to and within 2017. Spectacular Located on a beautiful patch walking distance of Pendle Hill with lots of wildlife to views of Pendle Hill of land we have 3 luxury self- see around the farm. contained glamping pods. and perfect for keen walkers. Well equipped HHHH Sympathetically renovated from the original to a high standard. Visit England Visit England Positioned next to the farmhouse and decorated and finished to a very high Located on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, canal, the river and a small Two bedrooms – 1 twin standard - Mrs Wagtails (twin beds and shower) and our four star gold award self-catering cottages are woodland, the site offers a ensuite, 1double. Private Jenny Wrens (double bed and ensuite shower). multitude of activities for walled garden with nestled within the beautiful Lancashire countryside. families and couples who just gazebo, off-road parking. Lakewood Cottages stands in its own rural idyll want to get out and immerse One small dog welcome. positioned in a private lakeside/woodland setting themselves in the countryside. Prices from £340 to and are designed to offer our guests the maximum We are partners with Visit Lancashire and Forest of £370 pw for 2 people. in peace and relaxation. Bowland AONB. We have our Good to Go certification. www.chestnut-cottage.com www.lakewoodcottages.co.uk www.heighttopfarm.co.uk www.orchardglamping.com 01200 440400 01524 751053 01282 772009 07725185366 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Sturzaker House Farm, , Preston, PR3 1QB Dugdales Barn, Worston, BB7 1QA Cragg Hall Farm, Galgate, Lancaster, LA2 0HN Stump Hall Road, Higham, BB12 9BU

Cobden View Camping Pods at Fell View Park Higher Gills Farm Bowland Wild Boar Park Enjoy your stay at Cobden View, a 4-star cottage Stable conversion with spectacular sunsets and views with panoramic views of Pendle Hill and the of Pendle Hill and Ribble Valley. Granary apartment Hire one of our well-insulated camping spectacular Forest of Bowland. has exposed beams and long distance views. pods, enjoy the Wild Boar Park and use it as Lower Laithe apartment is wheel-chair friendly Walkers, dogs, families and cyclists are all most welcome. a base for exploring the Forest of Bowland. accepts one well behaved dog. Set in its own grounds Situated in a picturesque setting within easy walking distance of the main Park it’s a great Beautiful location on a working hill farm outside the Shared patio, large lawn, swings and slide. with private garden, the way to experience the outdoors all year round. popular village of Scorton on the western edge of Utility with washing machine, dryer, sink and storage. cottage sleeps up to five; Bowland. Facilities include toilets and showers, disabled Private car parking for 5 cars. cosy yet spacious and / family shower room, kitchen/ information point and fully equipped. laundry. With an on-site fishing lake and popular walks Prices from £375 to £425 pw. and cycle routes accessed directly from the site.

www.cobdenview.co.uk www.wildboarpark.co.uk www.fellviewparkandfishing.co.uk www.highergills.co.uk 01282 776285/07989 401595 01995 61075 01524 791283 01200 445370 / 07743303939 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cobden View, Cobden Farm, Sabden, BB7 9ED Bowland Wild Boar Park, Chipping, Preston, PR3 2HB Sykes Farm, Scorton, PR3 1DA Whytha Road, Rimington, BB7 4DA Dale House Barn and Bed & Breakfast Situated in the heart of the stunning surroundings of Gisburn forest and the beautiful Ribble Valley, with easy access to the Dales.

The B&B Our Barn Our beautiful 400-year-old farm house offers luxury Our sympathetically converted camping barn bed and breakfast and delicious evening meals in a offers comfortable and practical self- catering group very rural setting, perfect for exploring Bowland in the day accommodation for up to 14. Hearty breakfasts and for star gazing at night. and evening meals available. see our website for details of all our weekend cookery retreats and other courses

For enquiries and booking please call 01200 411095 or visit our website www.dalehousebarn.co.uk E-Bike Hire • Sales & Servicing • Cycle to Work Scheme Spend a few hours, a day We are a family company Visit our website: or a week exploring the based in Dunsop Bridge www.ribblevalley-e- stunning scenery, towns and have a range of bikes.co.uk, where you and villages of the Ribble e-bikes available for hire to will find our online booking A magical place to reconnect Valley. Electric bikes make suit all levels and abilities. facility, or call us to discuss light work of hills and We offer guided or self- your requirements. Escape to our Luxurious Lakehouse or multi-family Cottages - perfectly located between the and the Lake District give every level of cyclist guided routes as well as the chance to cover being close to Gisburn more ground. Forest Trail Centre.

Enjoy the www.ribblevalley-e-bikes.co.uk tranquility and natural beauty of [email protected] • 01200 426246 the stars in this designated Dark Sky area.

[email protected] | www.laythams.co.uk | 01200 44 66 77 or 07414 734170 A diffuse network of plant nurseries and living seedbanks is helping regenerate wildflower meadows across the Forest of Bowland to benefit bumblebees and other important pollinators.

he Forest of Bowland is one of the Helen fenced off an area of sheep grazed last remaining outposts of traditional pasture which has never been heavily Twildflower meadows in England. improved or fertilised – offering an ideal habitat for nurturing wild flowers. Traditional hay meadows across the This area was seeded with a wildflower country once hummed with the buzz of mix from the Coronation Meadows at a million pollinators flitting from flower to Bell Sykes Farm, near Slaidburn and flower, but with their demise, pollinators another patch within this pasture ring- are also beginning to suffer from the loss fenced to nurture rarer species such of this vital habitat. as globe flower (trolleus But an alliance of local A number of Europeaus), saw wort farmers, landowners and (serratula tinctoria) The Green Shoots volunteers have organised “volunteers have and melancholy thistle themselves to push back established pollinator (cirsium heterophyllum). against the relentless quest Helen makes use of some for higher yields by hand- patches across the of Recovery of the meadow species raising crops of wildflowers Forest of Bowland like self heal and yarrow for transplanting into to create her own flower fields which are staging a – including Helen essences as part of her recovery from the grass Leece at her farm wider holistic therapies roots up. and retreat near practice: The Bee & Under the Haytime Rescue Blossom Apothecary. project, officers from the . Helen’s knowledge of Yorkshire Dales Millennium ” Ayurveda is at the root of all she creates, Trust and the AONB gather seed from a and this inspired the Rewilding Meadow number of sites every summer and then Project to increase awareness and help send this out for growing on into plugs in people to reconnect to nature while volunteers’ gardens. establishing some of our lost native species. These pollinator patches not only create But volunteers don’t need a pasture a stock of seed for future use, but also or paddock to participate in Hay Time improve habitats for pollinators in the Rescue – a dedicated patch of a suburban gardens in which they are grown. garden is all that’s required.

www.forestofbowland.com 14Globe Flower 15 Helen Leece, the Gathering Fields

Bowland Hay Time Project Officer Carol temperature can have a big impact on the Edmondson said: “We use a variety of young plants and we have a microclimate sources for our wildflower seeds – including here in Bowland which is difficult to the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Gardens, replicate elsewhere in England. but what we have found over the years “This is why we are so keen to recruit more is that seed from plants that have been local volunteers to grow on wildflowers – propagated locally do much better when because these plants will be acclimatised we introduce them to new sites. and adapted to the almost unique climatic “Even quite small changes in humidity and conditions in the Forest of Bowland.”

Helen said: “Wildflowers and restoration then the yellow rattle, which is great for are at the heart of the land here and the meadow as it suppresses the rye grass in 2018 I decided to re wild part of the and helps to make space for the wild farmland and set aside a field for the flowers to grow.” hay meadow to bring it back to how I Pollinators in the Forest of Bowland and remember it as a child. beyond will benefit from another boost “We sowed the final yellow rattle seeds over the next two years through Plantlife’s with all our intentions for the coming year ‘Meadow Makers’ Green Recovery on the Winter Solstice – December 21st. Challenge Fund project, which will restore It was a beautiful evening for everyone over 350 hectares of wildflower meadows If you would like to grow wildflowers from seed in a patch of your garden or and it was so exciting to wait to see across the country. Using the natural seeding greenhouse, get in touch via the Hay Time website at: what happens. methods successfully used by Bowland Hay www.ydmt.org/grow-wildflowers Time, the project aims to create a larger “In spring, daisy and cuckoo flower network of wildflower meadows, which Or for further information about the Bowland Hay Time project visit: emerged, followed by the globe flower and will include new sites in the AONB. www.forestofbowland.com/Hay-Time-Project

16 www.forestofbowland.com 17 ur 2020 photo competition produced some wonderful images and captured the very best of Bowland. The following were our final 12 shortlist, but there Owere many to choose from and you can view the full collection here: Best of Bowland www.forestofbowland.com/visitor-photogallery Look out for our online photo competition that will run again in October this year!

© Mo Lambat © Mark Harder Stocks Reservoir Damselfly on Fell

18 www.forestofbowland.com 19 © Yvonne Allison © Margaret Merrin © Hazel Stansfield © Peter Dobson View of Bowland Sunrise The cows of Thirty Acre Farm admiring Pendle Hanging out over Parlik Pike

© Vicky Dowd Looking North from Pendle

© Mark Harder Barn Owl

20 www.forestofbowland.com 21 © Sam Fielding © John Hickling Tarn Lake, Nicky Nook , Hurst Green

© Andy Cowell Ribble Valley Autumn Fog, near Downham

We’d love to see more of your images during 2021, please share them at : www.forestofbowland.com/upload-your-photos

© Hannah Binns 22 www.forestofbowland.com 23 Former Mill Pond, Wow! Absolute perfection. What more could anyone ask for?

Thank you for creating such a lovely place to stay.

... a little piece of heaven!

... a sparkling gem in a rugged landscape.

Eldroth House is a superb stone built property If you’d like more in the idyllic village of Eldroth, close to the information on the cottages and availability town of Settle, and is perfectly placed for please give Jill a call on Multi-award winning gin handcrafted exploring the beauty of the Forest of Bowland, 07590252725 or email the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. [email protected] in the Forest of Bowland

ADVENTURE AWAITS ON THE EDGE OF THE FOREST OF BOWLAND AND YORKSHIRE DALES. there's a luxury camping pod with your name on it at Peaks and Pods!

CEDAR PODS HOT TUBS wood-fired pizza oven social space FIRE PITS

Website: www.peaksandpods.co.uk Email: [email protected] Peaks and Pods, Boustagill Farm, Rathmell, Settle, , BD24 0LS www.goosnarghgin.co.uk - [email protected] 25 Festival Bowland Events 2021 Large outdoor play area Celebrating the nature, landscape, culture and heritage Ice Cream Parlour and Café of the AONB Barrel, Tractor & Trailer Rides, Tank Come Home To Nature Experience Visit Bowland Wild Boar Park, situated in the Forest of Bowland, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Family Lamb Feeding, Tickets Chick Holding Packed with adventure for the whole family; see the Available Camping animals, explore their habitats and meet our smaller 2 and under residents in the animal petting area. go free Pods Adventure around the 62 acres by foot or tractor rides, See Llamas, taking in our lovely nature trails and views. Remember to Red Deer, refuel in our refurbished Café and Ice Cream Parlour. Meerkats We also have our Rare Breed meat sales in the shop. and lots more! Our Barn and Education Centre are home to indoor and undercover activities for your enjoyment come rain or shine.

website forPlease admission check prices and opening times

Bowland Wild Boar Park Chipping • Preston • PR3 2HB t. 01995 61075 e. [email protected] www.wildboarpark.co.uk rvta John Muir Family Discovery Award27 Perhaps we’ve become more aware than ever e’ll be keeping things virtual until Easter this year then, from mid-April, we’re hoping to re-introduce some small-scale walks and face to face events. These of the benefits we get from the natural world - Wwill need to follow any Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines which might still be in place at the time – and we may need to postpone or cancel some sessions at short and Bowland offers countless opportunities notice. We’ll do our very best to keep our listings up to date but it will be even more important this year to contact the event organiser and “check before you travel”. for discovery.

ike many people, we had to make to 3,000 insects in one night – and that a lot of changes last year, and our gardens can be an important source of LFestival Bowland events programme food for these flying mammals? Or that new was no exception. Unable to get out and bumblebee queens hibernate during the about and meet in person, we took the winter – which is why bumblebees don’t festival online – and alongside our regular need to store honey? If you join the Beewalk visitors we met a whole host of new training session in spring you’ll find out festival-goers in the process! lots more about these industrious insects – including how to identify the “Big 7”. This year we have some great events planned. We’ll be going If heritage is your thing, all starry-eyed in February don’t miss our encounters with our third annual Festival Bowland with the Pendle Radicals – Dark Skies Festival. Live is“ a great introduction folk who were key to the Moon Watch, night sky history of the area (and photography tips, family if you’re unfamiliar beyond) but not all of sessions and more during with the AONB, whom will be familiar to a the half-term break. wider audience. History- but we hope there’s wise we’ll also be finding Birds, bats, bumblebees out all about the 12th and amphibians are just plenty to discover for century Cistercian abbey some of the wildlife we’ll those who know it in Sawley, the ruins of be taking a closer look at well too. which are in such a in our season-spanning wonderful setting close programme. Owls are ” by the , with eternally fascinating creatures, perhaps majestic Pendle Hill as a backdrop. because they tend to be busy when we’re not! Five species can be spotted Want to make sure the younger members here in Bowland – and you don’t always of the family are entertained? Then keep need to be out in the middle of the night an eye out for natural art, bat box making, to see them. seasonal walks, mini-beast madness and more. Bowland is full of adventures – Speaking of hard working creatures; did for all ages! you know that a pipistrelle bat can eat up

28 www.forestofbowland.com 29 Sawley Abbey Foodie Foray Jar Pascuorum on White Clover Scarlet Waxcap

arly autumn sees the return of what is fast becoming a Eregular fixture in our calendar – Landscapes for Life Week. This is the AONB Family’s week (and a bit) long programme of events to help people reconnect with nature by enjoying, and being inspired by, the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here in Bowland we have a packed programme between the 18th and the 26th September, with both our Foodie Foray, and Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership’s “Together for Our Landmark” Walking Festival, taking centre stage. The Lord of Bowland lecture will be taking place in October once again. This will be the 10th anniversary of this annual event (having had to skip a year in 2020) and each speaker opens the window on another absorbing aspect of Bowland’s heritage. As the year draws on why not come along and be wowed by waxcaps; © Graham Cooper fascinating grassland fungi which sport Pendle rainbow colours. Parts of the UK are globally important for this particular Full details of all the Festival Bowland events – including how to group, and you can certainly find them book - are available on our website at www.forestofbowland. here in Bowland. com/Festival-Bowland-Events We’ll be adding events Of course, we wouldn’t have Festival Bowland without all the fantastic event throughout the year so do make sure to keep popping back to organisers, volunteers, local businesses see what’s new – and for any event updates. and land managers who make it happen. They help bring Bowland to life and For anyone who’d love to find out more about Bowland but can’t join us physically for we’re very grateful to them all. whatever reason, we’ll be continuing with our online events right through the Festival. They’re easy to join and you don’t need a camera on your device. We’ve also built up a great collection of recordings, video clips and other resources from projects and past events so, if there’s an online event you’ve missed, why not take a look and see if it’s here www.forestofbowland.com/online-event-links You’ll see that a number of our free events include an option to donate to Champion Bowland. Champion Bowland is a charity which provides easily accessible small grants for local projects which benefit the environment, local communities and visitors within and around the Forest of Bowland AONB. By donating, you’ll be helping to keep Bowland special - thank you!

30 www.forestofbowland.com 31 Noticing Nature

Millions of people enjoyed engaging with nature on a deeper level during the lockdown and dozens of participants in a mindful observation exercise in Pendle got a bit of a head start

n the UK, we tend to split the year up Participants’ wellbeing was also into four seasons – and here in rural monitored on a quarterly basis to ILancashire we often get them all on track whether observation of, and/or the same day! immersion in, nature had a measurable impact on people’s mental health. But in Japan, there is an ancient tradition And then Covid arrived and everything of subdividing the seasons into 18 shorter changed. spells, lasting just four or five days each and millions of people take great pleasure “We’d designed the programme to be as in looking out for tiny changes in each of inclusive as possible, so that people could the 72 ‘microseasons’. take part by observing natural changes through their windows The Pendle Hill Landscape without even leaving the Partnership’s ‘72 Seasons’ People seemed house,” said Kirsty. scheme project manager, Kirsty Rose Parker, teamed “to engage with the “Little did we know how up with artist Cath Ford and natural world on a important this aspect would a team of more than 200 be after March 23rd and volunteers to watch the 72 deeper level because during the lockdown. People Seasons unfold and note they had the time had more time to really tiny detail changes in the to really look at the engage and participate.” landscape, flora and fauna. seasons unfolding. Participation increased Kirsty adapted the Haiku- in March and April, when like descriptions of each ” volunteers looked for microseason to reflect the landscape swallows arriving, spring lambs and and seasons of Lancashire, while Cath bluebells and listened to birdsong. provided hand-drawn illustrations. A Facebook group was set up for participants to share their observations Participants embarked on the project and chat. on January 1 2020, looking out for frost adorning bare branches and robins calling, “For lots of people, the project turned into a then curlews in February and the first real highlight of their day and the online chat buds in early March. was amazing to watch,” said Kirsty.

32 www.forestofbowland.com 33 Noticing the ‘microseasons’ unfold 26 – 30 May: 13 – 17 August: Cath Ford’s ‘72 Seasons’ artwork is central to the project, focusing on the wildlife and natural events that accompany the incremental march of the seasons…

10 – 14 January: 8 – 13 February:

The project finished on December 31, 2020 and the notes and photos taken by participants, plus the data collected during the scheme, is now being analysed and will be published later this year as part of the Pendle Hill ‘What’s a Hill Worth?’ project, 26 – 30 March: 15 – 19 April: supported by the AONB and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Participants’ Comments:

“I don’t know if it’s what we are going “Collared doves are already nesting above through at the moment but I’m noticing the my back door, primroses in bloom on different trees and the different time trees bank. I have heard the curlews and the open up. It makes me realise what we take woodpeckers.” for granted usually and is opening my eyes to the wonder around the beautiful part of “Springtime is definitely on its way with lots of Lancashire I am so fortunate to live in.” buds on the trees and forsythia opening up. Gorse bushes are golden and daffodils are “The last two weeks of April felt more like nodding their heads.” June, but May’s begun more like March…” “Pendle Hill seems very capable of showing “The birdsong is so clear due to the lockdown off a number of seasons in just one day.” and less traffic.” “There has been that much rain that I’ve “Even though we can’t get out now, I’m still ended up with a permanent water feature following everything.” outside my house!”

34 www.forestofbowland.com 35 Testing Times

In response to the 2020 lockdowns, In-Situ embarked on a new series of artist residencies to test new ways of making and sharing work with communities in these challenging times.

n-Situ was able to continue introducing Testing Ground residencies will continue until artists to the Pendle landscape via the end of March 2021, marking a full year Iits innovative and responsive ‘Testing since the pandemic began to drastically impact Ground’ artists residency program, the way we live and work. With this in mind, run in partnership with the Pendle Hill the conclusion of these residencies will provide Landscape Partnership (PHLP) an opportunity to pause, as we learn from the challenges of the experience. In line with ongoing safety To open this reflection up guidelines this has enabled The first through working artists and some artists to explore Testing“ Ground the community, so they can the Pendle Hill landscape share their experience, is a in person, where possible, resident artist privilege and something that and others to create work Bethany White is key to the In-Situ way of remotely, in response to a working. Throughout this time, range of themes. explored the our partnership with PHLP has In crisis, we pieced together Pendle landscape, brought some of the things opportunities, reframing seeking new ways of we sought to explore into our usual social and public focus, as we questioned: how facing programme to suit making and sharing valuable is our time outdoors? the challenging situation work. How accessible is our local caused by COVID-19. This ” landscape? enabled resident artists to pave the way Recognising the value of our landscape, which for new methods of working and, so far, this we often take for granted, has become more has ranged from experiments with historic important to many people this year and we scientific tools to collaborative approaches to hope this can be held onto in the times ahead, writing journalism. as we all look to a brighter future.

36 www.forestofbowland.com Cyanotype by Bethany White37 Artist in residence Bethany White, without climbing to the Pendle Hill explored the Pendle landscape using Summit and this was another great source cyanotype: a historic photographic of inspiration for Bethany, who reflected: process that uses sunlight to create “The moors on the walk to Pendle hill are print-impressions of This conversation will feed into In-Situ’s wider, ongoing public programme of activity really special, there were objects. produced in collaboration with the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership, The Gatherings, these rustic red ferns The prints are unique which focuses on exploring people and place. Bethany visited a against the vibrant sky number of areas of “to a point in time, there’s and at that moment in l To find out about In-Situ’s latest projects and how to get involved visit: historic significance something beautiful about time it felt really unique.” and noted Sawley www.in-situ.org.uk Bethany also created Abbey as a particular that. The light and even the a cyanotype pack, l To find out more about the National Lottery Heritage Funded Pendle Hill highlight: things you would use, change shared with people Landscape Partnership Scheme visit: ‘It was completely from season to season throughout Pendle, to unique - I’d never seen create unique artworks www.pendlehillproject.com such a large space ” using natural forms that has been kept and preserved” from their local landscapes from parks and woodlands to their own back garden. No visit to Pendle would be complete

38 www.forestofbowland.com 39 Pendle Hill helped inspire the creation of the Quakers, votes for women, the National Parks and the Pennine Way. A new discovery trail traces the footsteps of the radicals whose greatest ideas came to them while striding across the rugged slopes of Pendle.

he area around Pendle Hill is a They include the founder of the Quakers, magnetic, evocative landscape that George Fox, politician and campaigner Thas inspired some extraordinary Katherine Bruce Glasier, non-conformist individuals. The Pendle Radicals project preacher Benjamin Ingham, founder of the is telling their stories, linking the special Inghamites, and Jonas Moore – the ‘Father places on and around the hill that shaped of Time’. There are a number of sites their thinking and creating a new cultural, associated with these individuals, locations heritage and education that offer little glimpses asset for the area. Between now into the past, so this will be more like a treasure hunt From Pendle Hill to The Radicals Trail will and“ 2022, the project than a museum visit. encourage visitors, local people and especially the will take a deep dive The first plaques were The Pennine Way next generation to look into the landscapes installed at the summit beyond the surface and see shelter and Fox’s Well on the area through fresh eyes. of Pendle Hill on a Pendle Hill, in Higham, It will initially feature six journey of discovery and Fence over stopping points, identified by that creates a new the winter of 2020 and discreet interpretation at the the new Trail is due to be sites, but with more detailed ‘Radicals Trail’ through launched this spring. information in print and the area. The Trail is being developed online. More broadly, it will by Mid Pennine Arts in encourage users to wander, ” partnership with Pendle to explore the rural area around Pendle Hill Hill Landscape Partnership, and with other and to support its visitor economy. partners including the Tourism Officers for The Hill is forever associated with the Pendle and Ribble Valley Borough Councils story of the Pendle Witches – radical and Super Slow Way. thinkers in their own right - but many Mid Pennine Arts creative director Nick visitors never see beyond this period in Hunt said: “A key aim is to inspire the next history and yet there is so much more generation about their local area, and with to tell! The Radicals Trail will celebrate the amazing stories of these courageous the important historical figures who have individuals who dared to think and do made unique contributions to Pendle Hill’s different, and for whom the extraordinary distinctive local heritage. was normal.

40© Markwww.foresto Sutcliffe fbowland.com 41 Clarion House Volunteer Bob Sproule

We will continue to explore the theme and promote and develop the Trail through a research, engagement, learning and volunteering programme which will reinforce the value of the Trail and help us continue to build awareness.

“The Trail will continue to evolve as a cultural While pastor at a church in in the asset for Lancashire for years to come, 1890s, Thomas Leonard encouraged his presenting our area in a new light, to attract congregation to take walking holidays during new visitors but also to enable local people the ‘Wakes Week’ factory shutdowns. He – and especially young people – to see their went on to establish the Holiday Fellowship own, over-familiar landscape with fresh eyes, which provided affordable outdoor holidays and a touch of wonder.” for working people and his legacy exists today as HF Holidays – a Work is already underway cooperative society which on the next phase of the I beheld a new continues to offer reasonably Radicals Project, which will “world. Across the priced walking holidays to explore the back stories of lovers of the great outdoors. more of the local radicals valley were the The Two Toms – including the ‘Two Toms’ Bowland Fells; and Tom Stephenson, (born in – a pair of ambitious social Whalley in 1893), spent hours Although still in the early stages of The linear route will start in Tom Stephenson’s reformers whose legacy is away to the north wandering across the many mapping, the Two Toms will become part birthplace of Whalley and climb to the Nick still felt today. Ingleborough, paths that criss-cross Pendle of a network of paths on and around of Pendle before continuing to the summit and went on to campaign Pendle which link sites of historical interest then descending to the Clarion House near Journalist Tom Stephenson Pen-y-gent and other for the establishment of to encourage exploration of the area Barley – scene of many a meeting of the and pastor Thomas Pennine heights, all National Parks and Areas of on foot. area’s radicals and original thinkers. Leonard were inspired by Outstanding Natural Beauty. the landscapes of Pendle snow-covered stood Pendle Radicals volunteer researchers From there, the route will continue to It was the views from Pendle to open up access to the Nick Burton and Bob Sproule have delved Colne, where Thomas Leonard conducted out sharp and clear in Hill summit that inspired Tom countryside to millions deep into the archives to chart a route his ministry at Dockray Square – now the Stephenson to campaign of working people who the frosty air. that takes in some of the most significant site of the municipal library. The final stretch tirelessly for increased had hitherto regarded the ” places in the careers of both men. heads out onto the above Colne Tom Stephenson public access to the hills on the Lancashire-Yorkshire Border to hills and moors as ‘out Nick Burton said: “Tom Stephenson died and countryside: reach the Pennine Way – Tom Stephenson’s of bounds’. in 1987 with the most enduring memorial Stephenson used his influence as a Fleet crowning achievement – where it passes Leonard and Stephenson’s regular walks to his life’s work being the Pennine Way. We Street journalist and Whitehall press through Ickornshaw near Cowling. on Pendle Hill inspired a passionate belief hope that walkers will also remember the life officer to persuade the post-war Labour in a universal right to walk the hills in search and achievements of Tom Stephenson from The Radicals Trail is funded by EU LEADER administration to establish National Parks of health and happiness, giving rise to Whalley and T.A. Leonard from Colne as they and National Lottery Heritage Funding. and AONBs in 1949 before going on to access campaigns whose legacies flourish walk the Two Toms Trail.” write the first official guide to the newly to this day. For further information visit: opened Pennine Way. www.radicalstrail.org.uk

42 www.forestofbowland.com 43 Lockdown Diaries An Essential

The story of how five resourceful rural entrepreneurs Community Hub re-engineered their businesses to thrive under Slaidburn Village Stores the lockdown. Clare and Megan Hardcastle

he lockdowns of 2020 had the existent, but, this time, as mutual support he mother and daughter team Clayton Park – started baking bread and potential to devastate the rural groups sprung up across the Forest of who run the shop at the heart of cakes for us alongside the Hark to Bounty’s Teconomy. With pubs and restaurants Bowland, local businesses began to leverage TSlaidburn became the hub of the freshly baked bread. ordered to close, no visitors and huge the marvels of modern communication to local community as they coordinated a “Walkers Fruit & Veg stall on market uncertainty over what the future held. reach out to their customers. food parcel delivery operation which provided us with fresh produce and I even became a lifeline for vulnerable residents Memories of the last disease outbreak, These ad hoc self-help groups quickly managed to get one of the big Lancashire living in outlying areas. when Foot & Mouth effectively shuttered brought communities closer, revealed new cheese manufacturers to deal direct with us. large swaths of the countryside economy, ways of doing business and established “Our first instinct when the lockdown was “We were doing 100-hour weeks and the remain fresh in the Forest of Bowland, but alternative local supply chains from the announced was: how can we help. The strain started to tell, so we reduced our opening the arrival of Covid brought a different set bottom up. second was: How are we going to cope?!” hours just so we could focus on the orders. of challenges – and as it turned out – said Clare. “But the way A lot of the activity was initially a bit a new set of opportunities. the community came “As the lockdown eased make-do-and-mend, but the enterprising together to form the off and the weather Back in 2001, the internet was still in its business folk of Bowland soon figured out local Covid Team was improved, the socially infancy and rural broadband almost non- what worked and how to deliver it. amazing. Within a few distanced queue that days, we were sending formed every morning parcels out all over the outside the shop and Hodder Valley. down the street became a real community hub, where “We were struggling to people could get that little keep up with demand bit of social contact to and we were almost keep them going. totally reliant on volunteers to do the “I think the new local deliveries while we took supply lines that we the orders, sourced produce and packed the established during lockdown are here to parcels so the volunteer drivers could collect stay. As long as the demand is there, we will and distribute them. continue to stock items from local producers as that was always part of the plan since we “We were struggling to find basics at the took over back in 2018.” wholesalers and I didn’t feel comfortable queueing up only to find the shelves empty * Slaidburn Village Stores is one of four so we began talking to producers direct. We village shops from the northwest to make started to stock locally produced sausages, it through to the nationwide finals of the lamb, beef and eggs and our pie supplier – Countryside Alliance Awards.

44 www.forestofbowland.com 45 Good Electrifying Housekeeping Growth Dale House Barn Bunkhouse and Boutique B&B, Ribble Valley E-Bikes, Gisburn Forest Dunsop Bridge Dominique Ashford Roger Wolstenholme

“ nce we got over the initial shock and shared recipes on social media. I had “ e were due to open the e-bike the visitors and we also got a lot of online and panic of closing the business so many requests for recipes I’ve set up a rental shop in Dunsop Bridge in bookings via the website and social media. for Lockdown 1, we set our minds mailing list! early April, so we were already O W “Initially, we planned to operate as a on practical matters. In a 400-year-old committed when the lockdown was “One thing that really took our breath away seasonal bike rental business during the farmhouse, there is always something that announced. We had invested in bikes which was the clarity in the air. The local views summer, but the relationships we established needs attending to. then didn’t arrive, but we didn’t have any were like the world had gone into HD. It was with British bike manufacturers like Volt and visitors anyway, because “We ordered four tons of sand and a ton quite incredible. 2020 has definitely been a Raleigh during lockdown the whole country was of lime and cracked year we won’t forget in gave us the opportunity in lockdown. on with repointing a hurry, but we feel so to start doing bike the farmhouse and privileged to live in such “Once we did get some sales as well, so after a barn. It was quite a beautiful area with bikes, we could have really busy summer, we cathartic, being up on access to nature to opened, but we didn’t decided to stay open the scaffolding in the get us through this want to upset the into the autumn and sunshine. tough time. community. At that point, winter. it would have been easy “It’s generally quiet here “Between the two “We’re doing children’s to give up, but actually at the best of times but lockdowns, we were bikes now and tow-along we decided to really usually there are cars fully booked, with trailers for smaller kids commit to it and spend and bicycles passing and many guests booking – so the whole family the downtime scaling up the occasional walker. an evening meal after can enjoy a ride on very the operation. But for weeks we saw seeing some of my quiet roads and traffic- absolutely nobody. recipes on social media, “As the lockdown free tracks straight from but we were forced to continued, the season the shop. “In-between painting close again by Lockdown was getting shorter and and pointing I also “Lockdown forced us 2, then Tier 3. shorter, but by June, got out on my bike – to really commit and we were getting ready sometimes with the panniers fixed to go “So far, our business has survived and we expand the business to open and took on shopping, phone attached to the handlebars feel so fortunate in that. We are planning faster than we would our first employee and playing some music for company. some new projects for 2021 – including a otherwise have done. started getting the shop ready. kitchen extension for our planned cookery It means we are going to start this season “In the evenings I worked on some online school and a wild meat preparation kitchen. “We opened the doors in July and it took with a bigger fleet of hire bikes, more bikes marketing courses and tried to teach myself Fingers crossed 2021 turns out to be a off straight away. We made sure the signage in stock, better choice for customers and a more IT skills. I also did a lot of cooking better year for everyone.” and the forecourt would attract interest from greater determination to succeed.”

46 www.forestofbowland.com 47 A New Whey Home of Doing Business Delivery Courtyard Dairy, Carter Fold Farm, Austwick Waddington Andy and Kathy Swinscoe Sarah Bolton and Graham Whitwell

“ he lockdown announcement came “We introduced the concept of online cheese “ e got out of dairy farming several “We started delivering extras like cheese, as a bombshell for the business – we tastings, where we send packages of cheese years ago, but we took on a small yoghurts and bread and you could see that it Twere looking at an 85 per cent drop in out to the participants ahead of a virtual Wmilk round serving Waddington really made a difference. For some of the more turnover almost overnight,” said Andy. tasting lead by me online. This is now a and West Bradford to supplement the elderly residents in the ‘at risk’ category, you significant part of the business and forges a farm income,” said Sarah. “It’s been ticking could see that they saw it as a bit of a lifeline – “But thousands of pounds-worth of stronger bond with customers across the UK. over quite nicely over the last few years, they were so pleased to see us in the mornings. perishable stock focused our minds: we knew but it took on a new we had to move quickly “We had to close the “The size of the round momentum during – so that’s what we did. café in March, but dropped back as the the lockdown. when the lockdown restrictions lifted and “Initially we got a lot of restrictions began to “As the supermarkets people could get to help from colleagues ease we managed to ran out of essential the shops more easily, in the cheese industry, open an outdoor socially items and the queues but we have held on to which really pulled distanced café featuring grew outside, villagers quite a few of the new together to create our ‘cheese bubbles’ – suddenly saw the customers. nationwide awareness repurposed ski lift cars benefit of getting their of the predicament of “It was good to be able from Courchevel! milk delivered and we many small, specialist to keep so busy during added dozens of new dairy businesses and “We had a very the lockdown – we’re customers to the round. rally support for them. busy Christmas, but farmers – that’s what overall, trade remains “The supermarket we do. But it was really “We were very grateful significantly down on the delivery slots were heart-warming to see for all the support previous year and there snapped up almost rural communities rally we received from the is still some uncertainty overnight and many of round to look out for local community in the over the extent to which them insisted on minimum orders, whereas each other and to receive letters from quite early days, but then we the visitor economy if you just want a bottle of milk, we’re vulnerable people who really appreciated needed a change of which we are so reliant happy to oblige. what we did.” direction. Mail order was on will rebound this year. only a small part of the business, but because the majority “But strengthening the mail order and online of our turnover was passing tourist trade business has definitely given us a stronger For further information about Sustainable Tourism in the Forest of Bowland visit: and supplying the restaurant trade, we platform from which to rebuild the business needed to focus more on online sales. when confidence does return – hopefully by www.forestofbowland.com/sustainable-tourism the late spring or summer.”

48 www.forestofbowland.com 49 In the face of a massive increase in visitors to Pendle Hill during lockdown, Pendle’s Parish Lengthsmen have maintained safe access and ensured local villages stayed looking spick and span

nder normal circumstances the as soon as possible. It’s really a case of a job of a Parish Lengthsman is stitch in time, saves nine. conducted below the radar. These U The Parish Lengthsman scheme has been unsung heroes quietly undertake the low- supported by the AONB since 1998, with key ‘little and often’ tasks that go largely a strong focus on working closely with unnoticed by the wider community. village communities. The lengthsman is local Philip Hardman and his and employed through son Lewis are familiar the parish council who figures in all of the parishes If we spot administer the grant scheme Unsung Heroes around Pendle Hill and a“ problem and through liaison with the have the experience and local community and AONB. local knowledge to know fix it promptly, When Britain was suddenly when something ‘isn’t quite it usually saves plunged into lockdown and right’. They work as a ‘rapid outdoor exercise was one reaction team’ to spot any time and money of the few activities that potential issues before they that would need remained legal, the crowds become a major problem. to be spent of visitors who descended Much of the lengthsman’s further down on rural beauty spots like work is centred on Pendle Hill brought with maintaining roadside verges the line. them a host of additional and footpaths, but Phil and ” challenges. Lewis will also plant trees Suddenly, footpaths and and bulbs, cut the grass, fix playground bridleways began to feel the strain from equipment and even erect Christmas the extra footfall. Stiles collapsed, benches trees and lights. broke, kissing gate hinges failed and the “Some of the work is carried out on a routine maintenance workload rocketed and, as basis and other jobs at the instruction of the lockdown measures were eased and visitor parish councils,” said Phil. “If we identify an numbers showed no sign of abating, it was issue requiring attention, we try to rectify it clear that additional resources were needed.

50Parish Lengthsmanwww.foresto Phil fbandowland.com son Lewis 51 Phil Hardman Recognising the extra wear and tear lockdown crowds were placing on the parishes around Pendle Hill, the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership stepped in to help with an injection of cash to fund urgent repairs and maintenance.

endle Hill Landscape Partnership available for parish councils to engage with Countryside Access Officer Sarah local landowners and repair rights of way PDornan said: “The lengthsman’s infrastructure. local knowledge means he can respond to “The Pendle Hill Fund main grants scheme is issues quickly, which in a year like this where now supporting three more community projects the pressures on the outdoors have been focusing on heritage trails, engaging with unprecedented means Phil is a bit of an local communities and habitat management. unsung hero in the parish.” “We hope to reopen the Fund main grants Managed by the Pendle Hill Landscape scheme in spring 2021 and our Pendle Hill Partnership, the Pendle Hill Fund is a small Fund Small Grants scheme is community grants scheme always open for applications supported by the National Some stiles and for projects up to £500.” Lottery Heritage Fund. The Fund is open to voluntary “kissing gates not on Sabden Parish Council and community groups; traditionally ‘popular’ Chairman Antony Haworth charities; parish councils; said: footpaths may have schools and small businesses “Philip and Lewis are for projects focusing on been used a lot more an integral part of our heritage and engaging during 2020 and local community and a people with the outdoors in real asset to our village. the Pendle Hill area. needed some extra Their local knowledge and Although the Pendle Hill maintenance. understanding of the rights Fund wouldn’t normally ” of way network is a great cover the Lengthsman’s advantage as they often Lewis Hardman work, this year the team recognised that already know the landowners and can carry the footpath network was buckling under out repairs quickly. the increase in pressure and allocated “Having someone who knows and cares for extra funds for additional maintenance the local area and its surroundings is all the Got a local heritage or engagement project? work for public rights of way. more important when so many people are Want to apply for a Pendle Hill Fund Grant? Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership reconnecting with nature and exploring new Visit: Community Engagement Officer Jayne areas and having someone able to maintain Ashe said: “The Pendle Hill Fund grants access and keep on top of maintenance is a www.pendlehillproject.com/project/pendle-hill-fund panel decided to make some funds huge asset.”

52 www.forestofbowland.com 53 Peter Blackwell, Bell Sykes Farm Farming for the Future

Big changes lie ahead for the Forest of Bowland’s farmers as the Government prepares to redirect agricultural support payments towards support for restoring nature and the environment.

ritain finally left the European and are freely available to all. Included Union last year and with it the EU’s (amongst others) are clean air and water, Bcontroversial Common Agricultural carbon sequestration, biodiversity, flood Policy, or CAP. mitigation, countryside access, cultural heritage and nature recovery. The CAP distributed billions of pounds of publicly-funded support Coordinated by the payments to British farmers National Association of and while these payments Farmers in AONBs, the ‘Farming for (known as the Basic Payment the Nation’ programme Scheme) will continue for “the Forest of involves 12 AONBs across a few more years, the UK Bowland AONB the country testing new Government has stated its ways of how farmers intention to taper them are playing a could be rewarded for down to zero over the leading role in managing the land in more next seven years. These environmentally friendly payments will be replaced shaping the ways. by an Environmental framework for the Bowland has joined forces Land Management (ELM) with Nidderdale and system, which will reward Government’s new North AONBs farmers for taking a more Environmental to test out how ELM can environmentally sensitive Land Management support high nature value approach. (ELM) scheme. farming, whilst also ensuring ELM is based on the it remains resilient and concept of ‘public money ” profitable. This includes for public goods’. The testing the usefulness of definition of public goods is that these Land Management Plans as a way to benefits have no economic market, deliver and reward positive management.

54 www.forestofbowland.com 55 It is hoped that Land Management Plans can act as a flexible management tool to help farmers make decisions on how their land can be managed in more environmentally sensitive ways in the future, but also recognises the requirements of the farm business and their local knowledge about what works on their farm.

ore nature friendly farming might “For a while now, farm subsidies have include a shift to lower intensity promoted large land area ownership Mgrazing, reducing carbon-intensive and less than favourable high nature inputs, woodland creation, farming methods, so removing field drains to with the Government’s create wetland areas for A big part of the payments moving away wading birds and natural panel’s“ focus has been from land payments and flood management. hopefully more towards on making the public the environment, the test Peter Blackwell, who and trials I am helping farms at Bell Sykes Farm and the Government with will show high nature in Slaidburn, has been aware of how farmers value farming can not only extensively involved in the produce food sustainably, initial round of consultations and farming can but protect and enhance prior to the pilot schemes manage the land and the environment as well with as a member of the the correct guidance and Northern Hill Farming Panel the environment funding” said Peter. – a group which was set up in a positive and to bring together farmers sustainable way For more details on these and other organisations to far-reaching changes promote farming and the ” to farming and land environment along the northern upland management, contact the AONB on chain of the Pennines. 01200 448000 / [email protected]

Further details on ELM tests and trials and the Government’s Agricultural Transition Plan can be found here:

56 www.forestofbowland.com 57 Nature’s Calendar

Unmissable natural spectacles to look out for in the Forest of Bowland throughout the year

58 www.forestofbowland.com 59 © Paul Booth February April © Alan Owens Drifts of Delicate Snowdrops The Waders Return Delicate white snowdrops peeking shyly Oystercatchers, redshank, snipe and through the frost are a welcome reminder especially curlew return from their – after the often harsh upland winter – winter quarters on the coast to stake out that spring is on its way. Snowdrops begin their breeding territory early in spring. to appear at various locations across the Initially, the curlew remain silent, but as AONB. These pretty harbingers of the temperatures rise during March, their warmer days ahead do well in the cool plaintive ‘bubbling’ calls can be heard across damp climate of the Forest of Bowland the valleys. and can be spotted as early as December, lasting until the end of February. Where: Curlew need damp, rough grazing land on the edge of the uplands to breed Where: Scattered across the AONB in successfully and the Forest of Bowland is lightly shaded woodland areas one of their last strongholds in England. The wet grassland around Chipping is a great Top Tip: Good weather towards the end place to spot them and also listen out for of the month can tempt lapwings back the unearthly high frequency hum of snipe onto their farmland breeding territories. ‘drumming’ to attract a mate.

© Charles Camm March May © Richard Saunders, Natural Engalnd Boxing Hares Flight of the Skydancers These magnificent creatures lose some The hen harrier – one of England’s rarest of their natural shyness in early spring as raptors – is the emblem of the Forest of they come down off the fells in search of a Bowland AONB. The good news is that mate in the lowland meadows. The boxing the local population has seen a modest matches happen when females rebuff the increase in recent years, so you may be attention of overly amorous males. lucky enough to spot these majestic birds of prey ‘sky dancing’ over the moorland. Where: Hares are likely to be active across This complex courtship ritual involves the AONB throughout March, but the aerobatic displays over their territory, rich pastureland around Waddington and which strengthens the pair bond. is a real hotspot for boxing hares. Where: Hen harrier nesting sites in Top tip: Early morning or dusk is the best Bowland are carefully monitored to time to spot boxing hares – they tend to protect the birds from disturbance. Sticking be more wary during the daytime. to footpaths during the breeding season (mid-March to the end of July) can help to protect other ground nesting birds too. If you do spot a hen harrier please let James Bray of the RSPB know on 07968 129570.

60 www.forestofbowland.com 61 © Mark Sutcliffe June September © David McNamee Fluffy White Clouds Harvest Celebrations For a brief period in early summer, the Celebrate the season of mist and mellow peat uplands of Bowland are dominated fruitfulness at one of Bowland’s lively by fluffy white flecks dancing on the autumn festivals. The annual village show breeze. On the wetter ground above the is a highpoint of the rural social calendar valleys, the soft seed heads of Common where locals and visitors alike mingle cottongrass (eriophorum angustifolium) amongst the stalls, craft tents and are endemic among the peat bogs and livestock pens. emblematic of the wide-open spaces of the uplands. When: Shows throughout late summer and early autumn – visit On a warm, dry, early June day, when the www.forestofbowland.com/family-fun seed heads are at their frothiest, staring for more information. Check current Covid at the endless expanses of cottongrass restrictions before visiting. as they sway gently on the breeze is a truly mesmerizing experience akin to Top tip: Bring your wellies – you’ll blend being adrift on an ocean of gently in with the locals and keep your feet dry. swirling spindrift.

© Graham Cooper October © Robert Ince July Dark Skies Discovery A Riot of Colour With very few centres of population, and While many lowland meadows will hardly any street lighting, the Forest of have been mown for hay or silage by Bowland has almost zero light pollution, Midsummer, a handful of meadows in affording visitors breathtaking views of the Bowland are left much later before night sky. Spot planets, constellations, galaxies mowing to give the native wildflowers time and nebulae you’ll never have seen before to flower and set seed. In July these natural and keep an eye out for shooting stars! wildflower meadows are a riot of colour which positively hum to the soundtrack of Where: Beacon Fell Visitor Centre; Crook a million pollinators doing their thing. o’ Lune Picnic Site; Gisburn Forest Hub; Slaidburn Visitor Car Park. When: National Meadows Day – a celebration of all things meadowy! – When: February Half Term – online events takes place on Saturday 3rd July. Take a look – check Festival Bowland event listings for at the Festival Bowland events programme details: www.forestofbowland.com/Festival- to see what’s planned in the AONB. Bowland-Events www.forestofbowland.com/Festival- Bowland-Events Top Tip: Book early – these events sell out very quickly

62 www.forestofbowland.com 63 Volunteer Viv Barclay Champion Support for Bentham Buzzy Bees Thousands of newcomers to Bentham are settling in nicely, thanks to a £750 Champion Bowland grant

hese funds, along with £250 from the local Riverside Caravan Park and a £175 Tdonation from an Ilkley resident made this project possible during May of 2020. The new arrivals are black bees brought to Bentham by Mat Young of Enable Disability who has set up Bentham Buzzy Bees. They and their queen bee are living in woodland and are already exploring the area. Local people have raised money buying packs of wildflower seeds for planting, to attract bees that fly three to six miles for pollen. Mat, along with volunteers, has been learning beekeeping skills to be shared with community and disabled groups. Covid-19 restrictions meant that community engagement for the project wasn’t possible Can You Help? during 2020, but Mat is excited for the coming year and being able to provide Champion Bowland is a charity which provides easily accessible small grants for training to help manage the hives through local projects which benefit the environment, local communities and visitors his Enable Disability Project. within the Forest of Bowland AONB. Champion Bowland raises funds from visitor donations, charitable activities and other sources. Mat said: “We have so much appreciated Champion Bowland’s support in getting our Look out for donation boxes in local businesses, project started. There are number of ways or text CBOW15 followed by the amount you businesses and the public can help support wish to donate (eg £1 or £5) to 70070 the project, one is to buy some bee-friendly wild flower seeds”. For further info visit: www.championbowland.org https://buzzybees.org.uk/

64 www.forestofbowland.com 65 Stock’s Reservoir, Matthew Savage A Stargazer’s Paradise

The Milky Way arches majestically across the sky on clear autumn evenings and star clusters sparkle like diamonds on black velvet.

he landscapes of the Forest are Stargazers’ Calendar Highlights: captivating by day but after the sun sets there’s a whole new world to WINTER: the absolute best time of year, T when the skies are darkest and the stars at discover in the dark skies over Bowland. Some of the best places to see stars in their brightest. Look out for the Milky Way Bowland have been designated as Dark on moonless nights, stretching like a faint Sky Discovery Sites. These are nationally plume of smoke directly overhead. recognised places that are dark and easily SPRING: look out for spring constellations accessible and where it is easy to observe like Leo and the Plough. the Milky Way or the constellation of Orion SUMMER: the sky doesn’t get properly with the naked eye. There are four AONB dark during June and July, so wait until designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites August when you should look out for the (see locations on Discovery Map at the Perseids meteor shower around the 13th. beginning of the guide): AUTUMN: your chance to see fainter l Beacon Fell Country Park objects like the Andromeda Galaxy – the l Gisburn Forest Hub furthest object from earth that is (just) visible with the naked eye. Look for a l Slaidburn Village Car Park faint blotch in the sky just above the l Crook o’ Lune Picnic Site constellation of Pegasus on moonless nights.

Why not combine your dark sky adventures by staying a while with one the AONB’s dark sky friendly businesses? We have sixteen in Bowland – all quality accommodation providers – geared up for your star gazing visit. As well as our Dark Skies Festival which runs 13-19 February, keep an eye on our website and social media for further events being run in the autumn. Further Information: www.forestofbowland.com/star-gazing

66 www.forestofbowland.com 67 Stichwort Plants from a Pastel Palette

In the case of these subtle treasures, small is definitely beautiful. And whilst they may not be big and bold individually, they can be truly eye catching if you stumble across a patch of them in bloom.

ake speedwell for example. This Flowering around the same time – April cheerful blue flower was traditionally to June - is greater stitchwort. This pretty Tassociated with speeding travellers perennial sports white, daisy-like petals on their way and pops up in a variety of above leaves resembling grass stalks. The locations, including roadsides individual flowers only have and other grassy places. A Nature’s less five petals but each one is low-growing, creeping plant, showy“ specimens cut almost in half down the you’ll need a beady eye to middle, giving it the starry spot the darker blue lines bring a gentle appearance reflected in its etched from the middle to rainbow of colours Latin name, Stellaria holostea. the outer edge of its petals In some places it goes by and the white dot, or “cat’s- to the Bowland the name of “poppers” - a eye”, in the centre. landscape. You may clue to the sound of its In the main we find have to hunker seed pods as they ripen germander speedwell in and fire out the seeds Bowland but the group is a down to get a good within. Greater stitchwort large one with several sub look at them but, is also a valuable source species – some of which if you do, you’ll of springtime nectar for are very rare - so you pollinators and the food may also spot heath and discover a world of source of the twin-spot thyme-leaved speedwell, shade, shape and carpet moth. or perhaps brooklime in damper habitats. Look out pattern. for germander speedwell ” from late spring to early summer, although you could well come across this lovely family later in the year too.

68 www.forestofbowland.com Speedwell69 Water Avens Lady’s Smock Ragged Robin Yarrow Community Pollinator Patches © Peter Guy © C Edmondson

ooking like it could have stepped Cuckoo flower is another lovely, early From a distance you might mistake Later in the year – even into November straight out of a Flower Fairies summer gem. Look out for its pale lilac ragged robin for its relative, red campion, – keep an eye open for pinky-white Lillustration, water avens hides its flowers between April and June in damp as their soft, pink colour is very similar. patches of yarrow. These tiny individual delicate beauty under a shy, nodding ground in meadows, ditches and road Take a closer look though and you’ll see flowers form flat topped heads which head. A closer look reveals softly apricot- verges. If you look closely you may see a quite how different they are! This lover of resemble umbelifers. Yarrow (Achillea coloured petals surrounded by darker tracery of darker purple on each of the marshy places, damp meadows and ditches millefolium) is named after Achilles as it red sepals and a centre of yellow stamens. four petals, plus a yellowy-green dot in has flowers with five petals, each of which was believed the Greek hero used it on A member of the rose family, water the middle. has several, deep cuts giving the plant its the battlefield to treat wounds. Millefollium avens prefers damp, semi-shady spots in “ragged” appearance. means “thousand leaf” and refers to the The flower is said to appear with the first woodlands, alongside streams and in wet plant’s many feathery green leaves which, if cuckoo – hence its name – but it’s also Pollinators, of course, don’t mind its meadows. crushed, give off an aromatic scent. known as lady’s smock and May flower. untidiness and bumblebees, honeybees and The flowers, which peak around June, are If you spot blobs of froth on the stems butterflies all feed on the nectar. Sadly, this This delicate appearance belies its tough visited by bees and other insects. After these will be the larvae of the meadow member of the pink family has declined nature and it can thrive even on poor, the flowers come attractive, burr-like seed froghopper. It’s also an important food with the loss of damp habitats but, if drier soils. It’s a welcome splash of colour heads. The hooks from these get caught on plant for the caterpillars of orange tip and you’re lucky enough to find a place where in the late autumn when many other the fur of passing animals and this helps to green veined white butterflies. it’s flourishing, you’ll be rewarded with a flowers have finished. spread the plant. beautiful show.

70 www.forestofbowland.com 71 How the award-winning author Andrew Michael Hurley immersed himself in a sense of place to write an atmospheric novel that evokes the elemental beauty of the Forest of Bowland in high definition

he lonely landscapes and stark Set in an isolated farming hamlet beauty of the Forest of Bowland perched at the top of a remote valley Tsuffuse the vivid writing of local in Bowland, Devil’s Day is the story of a author Andrew Michael Hurley from the man’s reluctant return to his roots and a very first page of his acclaimed novels reckoning with the ghosts of his past. inspired by the wilder reaches of his native It’s a haunting tale that will resonate with Lancashire. all outsiders and emigres The moors and valleys forced to negotiate the of the AONB shape the When I was uneasy reconciliation plotline as much as any a kid,“ we’d go on day of past, present and Flawlessly Bleak of the lead characters, future precipitated by an lurking menacingly below trips all over unexpected return to the the surface like a gnarly the county with setting of a not entirely outcrop brooding under a joyous childhood. gathering winter storm. the family: Pendle, From the moment the Born in Preston, Andrew , the protagonist steps off the taught for many years, train, a sense of foreboding writing in his spare time, – and those places hangs in the air like an but it was only when he left autumn squall – poised teaching to concentrate on always stuck to shed its icy load at literature that he found his with me the slightest provocation. muse among the rugged The plotline darkens, the cloughs and hidden dales of ” characters are dour, their Bowland. dialogue hints at deep, half-forgotten secrets, supernatural forces Andrew’s first northern novel, ‘The hover in the shadows – it’s all spine- Loney’, set in the wilder reaches of the tinglingly gothic. Lancashire coast, won the Costa best first novel 2015 and was awarded Book of the And this all plays out against the vivid Year in 2016. His follow-up, ‘Devil’s Day’ canvas of a visceral winter wilderness that again received widespread acclaim upon anyone who has braved the Bowland Fells publication in 2017. on a dark December day will recognise.

72 www.forestofbowland.com 73 Discover Bowland Itineraries Explore a collection of five destination itineraries and make the most of your time in Bowland. Each focuses on a different area of the AONB highlighting adventures, activities, hidden gems and food & drink.

“I’m drawn to places where you feel taking notes or photos and making sound genuinely alone and where you have space recordings in the landscape. to think – the kind of places where you can “The principal inspiration for Devil’s Day is experience solitude and silence that are the Langden Valley, so I went there countless increasingly rare and precious nowadays. times at different times of the day and “When I moved back to Preston and started different times of the year just to absorb the contemplating a new novel, I started to look place and let it seep into my imagination. much closer to home and From the heather-clad moorlands and peat “The best compliment that viewing these places through bogs, to the deeply incised wooded valleys anyone could ever pay me the eyes of an adult and a and picturesque villages, all these make up is that after reading one of writer, I started to think about the unique look and feel of Bowland. These my books, they really felt like how they could be integrated characteristics are part of a Sense of Place – they were there. If they can within a novel. And I realised elements that make that place special: feel the mud and the moors that in literary terms, the and the rain, then I’ve done landscapes of l A Place to Enjoy and Keep Special my job as a writer.” Bay and the Forest of Highlighting the importance of the area for Bowland had been almost “One of the things I’ve tried people’s livelihoods and enjoyment with its completely overlooked. From to do in all my novels is to value as a unique and protected landscape. find a language with which the perspective of a fiction l writer, these were completely to render those landscapes Delicious Local Food and Drink Without food production our countryside fresh territory to explore. properly on the page – would look very different! There are many that’s been one of the most “As I started writing, excellent eateries across the area to sample enjoyable aspects of writing I felt much more of a the best, local and seasonal produce. the books. connection with the l l landscapes of Lancashire “In all three novels, A Landscape Rich in Heritage Wild Open Spaces than the suburban sprawl of London. I landscape has been the starting point and During the medieval period the royal hunting The fells are covered with peat, blanket bog, think I understood the self-contained rural all three books pose the same question: forests were established - the title ‘forest’ acid grassland and heather moor. The highest communities better simply because I’ve how are people shaped by the landscape in refers to hunting rights, and not to a large point is at Wards Stone (560m) - almost a spent so much time wandering around these which they live? I think that thread is more expanse of woodland, as we interpret it today. mountain! places. prominent in Devil’s Day, where the farming l l community absolutely has to understand and A Living Landscape A Special Place for Wildlife “For Devil’s Day, I completely immersed The landscape has been formed out a of close The moors in particular are an important predict the landscape in order to survive and myself in the environment in which it’s set. relationship between people and nature and breeding ground for upland birds. There are where the characters are most connected – I literally spent days wandering around and we all have a part to play in planning for a also notable wildflower meadows, woodlands almost enmeshed – within the landscape.” sustainable future. and geological features.

74 www.forestofbowland.com 75

Journey to the Centre of the Kingdom Gisburn Forest and Stocks Reservoir Adventure

Fields, Fells and Fabulous Local Food The Hidden Bowland Dales

The Secrets of Pendle Hill

76 www.forestofbowland.com 77 Discover Bowland Itinerary – No1 Day 1: The Big Adventure Journey to the Park at the car park in Dunsop Bridge and fortify Be prepared for all weathers! yourself with coffee and home-made cakes or We celebrate the seasons here scones at Puddleducks Café. in Bowland, it’s what brings the vibrancy in colours and Centre of the Kingdom Follow the track heading north from the café beside wonderful variety of animal, bird the river to the tiny farm hamlet of Whitendale and and plant life – so don’t let a bit continue upstream to the water intake. Cross to the of rain stop you, just bring along west bank via the ford onto the access land, following the the right gear (waterproofs, track through a gate and climbing steeply up the right wellies/boots a must!) hand lip of Gutter Clough. A faint path leaves the track to head direct but it’s best to follow the series of posts past the rusty corrugated shelter and up to the stones. Head northwest of the stones for Grid Reference SD 642565 to reach the dead centre of Great Britain. There’s also a ‘Centre of the Kindgom’ sign here for you to take the all-important selfie! The Dunsop Valley is a favourite with bird watchers and you might catch sight of a Equip yourself with variety of raptors including hen harrier, OS Explorer Map 41 merlin, kestrel, peregrine falcon, short eared owl and goshawk, which are most commonly (Forest of Bowland & seen in spring. Closer to the village of Ribblesdale) to navigate Dunsop Bridge you might see house martin, swallow and great spotted woodpecker. your way around the area For those with young families why not spend a morning alongside the alpacas and petting sheep and book an ‘Alpaca Experience’ at Wood End Farm in Dunsop Bridge. Follow that with a picnic alongside the ducks on the village green - it’s all about the The area is very welcoming simple pleasures! Ordnance Survey – the people who map the of four-legged friends, just entire country – calculated that the geographical be aware that Bowland is home to sheep and cattle and centre of Great Britain is located on a remote ground-nesting birds. hillside above Dunsop Bridge in the heart of the Be aware of livestock and keep Forest of Bowland AONB. This three-day itinerary your dog under effective control takes you – literally – to the centre of the For “walking safely” info visit kingdom and goes on to explore some of the www.forestofbowland.com/ Walking-Information beautiful landscapes and pretty villages of the Forest of Bowland on foot and by bike. 78 www.forestofbowland.com 79 Day 2 PM:

Route Options Immerse yourself in the (all starting from Dunsop Bridge): Family Pick: peacefulness of the area, l Head to Clitheroe and book yourself a guided ghost walk and l For a village circular walk across farmland taking in some wonderful learn about the area’s fascinating history with Simon Entwistle take your time, and savour fell views, try the and Black Brook two mile route of Top Hat Tours. the sights, sounds, tastes l For a family-friendly walk, download the 3.5-mile Easy Access route l Enjoy some delicious food at Potters Barn, and also try and smells to get a true your hand at some pottery painting, a great activity for all ages! l For a walk combining riverside and fell top download the 4.5 mile Bowland Experience! l Explore Holden Clough Garden Nursery located in a Hodder Bank Fell Circular route beautiful setting – visit their glasshouse l Reaching the actual Centre of the Kingdom, at Whitendale Hanging for treasures for the home and the Garden Stones is a more demanding undertaking across open access land, Kitchen for delicious, homemade food. which is an extension of the 3.5-mile route above, making a 9-mile linear route. Make sure you’re equipped with a map and compass Day 3 AM: and have good navigational skills! To download the above routes go to Explore www.forestofbowland/walking Historic – family seat of the Parker family for centuries and one of the End your day with some wonderful seasonal, most important stately homes in the area. local food at the award-winning Parker’s Arms Marvel at the Elizabethan splendour of this gastropub in Newton in Bowland. Enjoy hearty Grade 1 listed building and meander through regional and global fare cooked and served the immaculately tended gardens before with an individual stamp. adjourning for tea and cake in the café. (check ahead for opening times).

Day 2 AM: Day 3 PM: The Ribble Valley Villages Ride Picnic Hire an electric bike from Ribble Valley E-Bikes in Dunsop Bridge and Pick up a mouth-watering picnic from the Bowland Food explore the picturesque villages of the Hodder and Ribble Valleys. Hall at Holmes Mill, Clitheroe and head to either Higher or Lower This easy-going 29-mile road ride follows the valley floor with Hodder bridges. Park considerately and follow the footpath along the western some gentle climbs to explore the prettiest villages in the Clitheroe bank through dense woodland to find one of many perfect riverside picnic spots. area www.forestofbowland.com/files/uploads/pdfs/cycle_route/ It’s an amazing experience in spring, when the woods are carpeted in wild bikerouteribblevalley.pdf. garlic and bluebells and alive with birdsong. If the weather is less than ideal This picturesque route also passes some of the best pubs for dining al fresco, head instead to Bashall Barn for a traditional afternoon tea. and cafes in the villages of Waddington, , Pendleton, Ribchester and Hurst Green. For something a little more challenging, try the 60-mile Ribble Day 3 PM: Valley Ride route. www.strava.com/routes/7520014 Go Fishing For more ride ideas, go to: www.forestofbowland/cycling Day ticket fishing is available from as little as £5 a day under an Angling Passport scheme which gives anglers access to these productive waters via an easy-to-use token scheme. Find out more at: www.ribbletrust.org.uk/go-fishing/ 80 www.forestofbowland.com 81 15 Holmes Mill 01200 407180 Discover holmesmill.co.uk 1 Breaking Cycles CIC 07746 272643 16 Inn at Whitwell breakingcyclescic.org 01200 448222 innatwhitewell.com 2 Browsholme Hall 01254 827160 17 Parkers Arms browsholme.com 01200 446236 parkersarms.co.uk 3 Holden Clough Nurseries 01200 447615 18 Spread Eagle holdencloughnursery.com 01200 441202 spreadeaglesawley.co.uk 4 Lancashire Farm Wools 07758 751375 19 Waddington Arms 22 kateschofieldtextiles.blogspot.com 01200 423262 waddingtonarms.co.uk 30 21 5 Melt 12 6 8 01200 443377 17 themeltco.com 3 6 Ribble Valley E-Bikes Stay 27 10 14 07483 295238 20 Alden Cottage ribblevalley-e-bikes.co.uk 01254 826468 aldencottage.co.uk 16 7 Top Hat Tours 01200 426821 21 Clerk Laithe Lodge 18 tophattours.co.uk 01200 446989 2 28 clerklaithe.co.uk 24 8 Wood End Alpacas 01200 448223 22 Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat 19 visitwoodendfarm.co.uk 07787 171107 laythams.co.uk 5 29 26 4 23 Mitton Hall 9 13 01254 826544 15 1 Eat mittonhallhotel.co.uk 20 7 9 Bashall Barn 01200 428964 24 Ribble Valley Country Cottages bashallbarn.co.uk 07918 150279 ribblevalleycountrycottages.co.uk 23 10 Bolton by Bowland Tearooms 01200 447201 25 Ribble Valley Holiday Homes 01254 820444 25 11 Potters Barn ribblevalleyholidayhomes.co.uk 01254 878431 11 potters-barn.com 26 Shirburne Holiday Park 01200 422432 12 Puddleducks shireburnepark.co.uk 01200 448241 facebook.com/Puddleduckscafedunsopbridge 27 Stonefold Holiday Cottage 07966 582834 13 The Emporium stonefoldholidaycottage.co.uk 01200 444174 theemporiumclitheroe.co.uk 28 Three Rivers Woodland Park 01200 423523 facebook.com/TheWoodlandCafe 29 Waddow Hall Eat & Stay 01200 423186 14 Coach and Horses waddow.org.uk 01200 447331 30 Woodend Farm B&B coachandhorsesribblevalley.co.uk 01200 448223 visitwoodendfarm.co.uk 82 www.forestofbowland.com 83 Discover Bowland Itinerary – No 2 Day 1: The Big Adventure Gisburn Forest and Lace up your boots for a big day close to the water or clip into your pedals for a forest The Hodder Valley Show is adventure.The eight-mile Stocks Reservoir an agricultural show which Circular walk climbs into the hills above the changes venue in rotation between Stocks Reservoir Adventure reservoir, providing expansive views of the Slaidburn, Newton and Dunsop wider Bowland landscape before descending to Bridge. The event is held the complete a circuit of the entire reservoir. second Saturday of September. Allow at least three hours to complete the Please check website to find out entire circuit on foot. Start from the pay and if it is running in 2021. display car park on the eastern shore of www.hoddervalleyshow.co.uk the reservoir. Detour to the café at Gisburn Forest Hub for welcome refreshments. Families with younger children, or those who are less mobile, might want to try the less demanding Birch Hills Trail starting from the same car park,.

Route Options l Stocks Reservoir Circular l Gisburn Forest Birch Hills Trail l Bell Sykes Hay Meadow Walk NOTE: Birch Hills Trail is suitable for Trampers (all-terrain accessibility scooter). The Bowland Tramper can be booked in advance from Gisburn Forest Hub. Call 01200 446387 to make a reservation. In the hills above the picturesque village of Slaidburn there’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts just waiting to be explored. To download the above routes go to www.forestofbowland/walking This pristine upland landscape in Lancashire’s undiscovered rural hinterland is a hidden Have a look at the gem with more in common with the lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands than the Festival Bowland post-industrial mill towns in the south of the county. programme with events Walking, trail-running, mountain-biking, fly-fishing and birding are all on the agenda for Reward yourself at the end of the day at Crowtrees Inn Bowland Fell Park which www.forestofbowland.com/ visitors with a taste for adventure. There’s even an easily accessible trail for outdoor offers traditional pub fare with a fresh twist, Festival-Bowland-Events enthusiasts with restricted mobility. with a range of excellent ales as accompaniment. 85 Day 2 AM: The Roses Border Get Closer to Nature Bike Ride Get up with the lark and fish for plump For road cyclists, this is a majestic, yet demanding circuit on quiet and tasty trout in the clear waters of lanes either side of the Lancashire and North Yorkshire border. Stocks Reservoir. Visit the Stocks Reservoir It’s a challenging 35 mile circuit on quiet lanes that are reputed website www.stocksreservoir.com to to have been cycled by Sir Bradley Wiggins in preparation for check whether the trout are biting or call winning the 2012 Tour De France! Another slightly shorter, but 01200 446602. more demanding option is a spectacular circular which takes in two If the fish aren’t rising, pack your flask and head of the toughest passes in Bowland – Bowland Knotts and Cross to the wildlife watching hides on the eastern O’Greet. Download these routes from: www.forestofbowland. shoreline to watch the amazing birdlife that lives com/cycling on and around the reservoir.

For a two-wheeled off-road adventure, the purpose-built cycle trails through Gisburn Forest www.forestry.gov.uk/gisburn offer Day 3 PM: rides of varying length to suit all abilities. Refreshments and bike hire is available at Gisburn Forest Hub café. Yorkshire Day 2 PM: Head to the north-east corner and the Yorkshire part of Bowland for a change of scenery and landscape. For cheese enthusiasts, the award- Replace Those Calories! winning Courtyard Dairy is not to be missed After such a strenuous ride, there’s ample excuse to gorge which stocks a carefully chosen range of unusual yourself on a high-calorie carbfest at one of the area’s noted and exquisite farmhouse cheeses, championing cafés or hostelries. Try taking afternoon tea at Old Vicarage Tea small, independent farmers. Explore the pretty Rooms in or the delightful Nectar Café at Coars Farm villages of Clapham and Austwick and the near Wigglesworth. surrounding limestone scenery. Why not try the Bentham Line - 5 mile Clapham Circular walk: Day 2 Evening: www.forestofbowland.com/walking/bentham- line-clapham-circular-walk Sample the Local Nightlife Admire the Milky Way brighter than Explore the restored traditional you’ve ever seen it and see how many wildflower meadows around constellations you can find in the dark Slaidburn on this leisurely skies above the Bowland Fells. Simply step wander to Bell Sykes Hay outside after nightfall and look upwards to Meadow (best seen late June/ see thousands more stars than you can see early July) beside the River in town or book into one of the dedicated Hodder then treat yourself to tea star-gazing events held at Gisburn Forest and cakes at the idyllic Riverbank Hub Dark Sky Discovery Site. Tearooms. www.forestofbowland.com/Star-Gazing

Day 3 AM:

86 www.forestofbowland.com 87 Discover Stay 1 Be a Garden Maker 12 Dale House 01729 840848 01200 411095 beagardenmaker.co.uk dalehousebarn.co.uk 2 Bowland Chocolate at Vanilla Angel 13 Dalesbridge 07824 485 557 015242 51021 bowlandchocolatecompany.co.uk dalesbridge.co.uk 3 Outdoors 4 All Together 14 Eldroth House Holiday Cottages 07814 464872 075902 52725 outdoors4alltogether.co.uk eldrothcottages.uk 4 Slaidburn Village Hall 15 Layhead Farm Cottages 01200 446555 01729 840234 20 11 slaidburnvillagehall.com layhead.co.uk 13 5 Stocks Reservoir Fishery 16 Lower Gill Holidays Ltd 6 01200 446602 01200 447009 14 stocksreservoir.com lowergill.co.uk 6 The Courtyard Dairy 17 Marl Barn Campsite 01729 823 291 07917 157522 thecourtyarddairy.co.uk marlbarn.co.uk 18 Merrybent Hill Luxury B&B 07733 010915 15 merrybent-hill.com 12 21 Eat 19 Middle Flass Lodge 18 7 Gisburn Forest Café 01200 447259 01200 446387 middleflasslodge.co.uk 3 7 facebook.com/gisburnforestcafe 20 Orcaber Farm Camping & Caravan site 9 8 Riverbank Tearooms 23 07800 624994 5 01200 446398 10 caravancampingyorkshiredales.co.uk 1 riverbanktearooms.co.uk 17 21 Peaks and Pods 9 The Old Vicarage Tearooms 07724 940709 07809 489282 24 2 8 16 peaksandpods.co.uk 4 facebook.com/TheOldVicarageTeaRoom 22 Slaidburn Youth Hostel 22 19 0345 371 9343 yha.org.uk Eat & Stay 23 Wigglesworth House & Cottages 10 Bowland Fell Park 01729 840168 01729 840278 wigglesworthhouseandcottages.co.uk bowlandfell.com

11 The Traddock 015242 51224 thetraddock.co.uk Shop 24 Slaidburn General Stores 01200 446268

88 www.forestofbowland.com 89 Discover Bowland Itinerary – No 3 Day 1: Big Views on Foot The rolling hills that rise behind the Lancashire Fields, Fells and Plain - , Fair Snape and Wolf Fell - offer splendid views over Morecambe Bay and beyond to the Lakeland fells. On a really clear day it is possible to see the Isle of Man and the Fabulous Local Food Great Orme on the North Wales coast. Birds such as meadow pipits and skylarks are common on the fell, while the more fortunate may catch a glimpse of tree pipits or yellowhammers. Be sure to visit Beacon Fell Country Park which features 75 hectares of woodland, grassland and moorland. There are several woodland trails which are great for families and four-legged friends. The visitor centre and cafe are also open daily.

Route Options l Bluebells and Woodland Delights – 3 mile circular starting at Cobble Hey Farm & Gardens. Parking is available free of charge for those using the tea room, please ring to check opening times 01995 602643 l Delph Quarry – 7 mile circular offering wonderful views of the Fells l Grizedale Valley & Nicky Nook – 5.5 and 3.5 mile Stretching from the high fells of the Bleasdale route options - Nicky Nook, though modest in height, offers splendid views over Lancashire’s coastal plain. Horseshoe to the sharply edged ridge of Fell, l Scorton Picnic Site – a local nature reserve with flat, the southwestern fringe of the Forest of Bowland Look out for the rare whimbrel easy walking, suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs combines amazing, striking scenery with rich farmland roosting at Barnacre Reservoir & Trampers. and superb local produce. near . These elegant waders fly in to roost To download the above routes go to This largely rural area is a walkers’ and cyclists’ paradise, during the breeding season in www.forestofbowland.com/walking criss-crossed with some outstanding circular walks and April and May. Good views quiet country lanes to cruise along on two wheels. from the public footpath to the And there’s plenty of scope for enthusiastic foodies south of the reservoir. to embark on a gastronomic tour of this productive corner of Bowland where local cheeses are a speciality. 90 www.forestofbowland.com 91 Day 2 AM: Day 2 Evening: Explore on Two Wheels Enjoy an Epicurean Adventure The quiet roads make this part of Bowland a As well as producing some superb cheese and meat, this side of paradise for cyclists. Both on and off-road routes Bowland has some excellent eateries in which to sample local all feature undulating terrain with some extended produce. Fantastic pubs include the Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green steep climbs. We have two recommended routes or, for more formal dining, try the restaurant at the Gibbon for road cyclists, both of which start at the pretty Bridge Hotel and sample some mouth-watering Lancastrian village of Scorton - a hub for cyclists, with some delicacies. fantastic eateries. Scorton Circular is a lovely 16 mile tour of the quiet lanes and hamlets along the southern fringe Day 3 AM: of the Bowland Fells or, for an extended 27 mile route, enjoy the unspoilt beauty of Grizedale and Bleasdale. Down On The Farm To download these routes visit: Get up close with some friendly farm animals at Cobble Hey www.forestofbowland.com/cycle-routes Farm and Gardens. This working farm in the foothills of the Bleasdale Fells welcomes visitors during spring and summer and feeding the lambs in March and April is extremely popular. There’s also an on-site café serving wonderful home produce. Day 2 PM: Call Cobble Hey 01995 602643 to check opening times, which vary according to the farming calendar. The Big Cheese Or visit Bowland Wild Boar Park - one of the most popular visitor Lancashire Cheese is famous throughout Britain for its astringent attractions in the area. This out of the way farm and wildlife park is tang and characteristic crumbliness and Leagram Organic Dairy especially popular with families and schoolchildren, who love getting on the edge of Chipping is one of the finest producers of close to the farm animals and exploring nature on one of the this subtle local cheese. Leagram have been producing quality park’s wildlife walks. You can even extend your stay by hiring one cheeses for the last 15 years. As well as their famous Creamy, of the park’s camping pods. Call 01995 61075 to book your visit. Crumbly and Tasty Lancashire cheeses, they also produce an award-winning sheep’s cheese - Ramshackle. Call 01995 61532 to check opening times. Day 3 PM: There are several other cheese producers in the area includeing Dewlay (Garstang), Proctors (Chipping), Butlers (Inglewhite) and Time For Tea? Singletons (Longridge). After a ride or walk, you have every excuse to indulge in a few sweet or To keep the whole family savoury treats at one of the locale’s noted entertained, why not cafes or farm shops. The Barn at Scorton download some seasonal is an extremely popular destination with quizzes, colouring and local cyclists in search of a good coffee and i-spy sheets to engage something sticky and sweet, while The your youngsters? Visit Apple Store at is a must- www.forestofbowland.com/ visit destination for any fan of traditional Family-Fun English Afternoon Tea.

92 www.forestofbowland.com 93 Discover Stay 1 Bowland Wild Boar Park 12 Barnacre Cottages 01995 61075 01995 600918 wildboarpark.co.uk barnacre-cottages.co.uk/holiday-cottages 2 Chipping Farm Shop 13 Brickhouse Touring Caravan Site 01995 699444 01995-61747 chippingfarmshop.co.uk brickhouseccs.co.uk 3 Cobble Hey Farm & Gardens 14 Dale View Caravan Site 01995 602643 01995 61060 cobblehey.com daleviewcaravans.co.uk 4 Goosnargh Gin Ltd 15 Fell View Park Camping and Caravan Site 01995 641001 01524791283 goosnarghgin.co.uk fellviewparkandfishing.co.uk 5 The Bowland Clothing Company 16 Lanterns & Larks 15 01254 820 129 01638 563478 10 6 thebowlandclothingcompany.com barnacre-cottages.co.uk/holiday-cottages 7 17 Little Oakhurst 07908 614736 12 littleoakhurst.com Eat 18 Orchard Glamping 16 6 Applestore Café 07725 185366 3 1 01524 792296 orchardglamping.co.uk 18 14 23 wyresdalepark.co.uk/applestore-cafe- 13 2 scorton 19 The Garden Cottage 8 07989 212901 4 7 The Barn thegarden-cottage.com 19 20 01524 793533 plantsandgifts.co.uk 20 The Old WoodShed 17 01995 641290

21 21 The Shippon Luxury Holiday Let 07850 221034 9 Eat & Stay theshipponluxuryholidaylet.co.uk 22 8 Gibbon Bridge Hotel 5 01995 61456 22 Wigwam Holidays Ribble Valley 11 gibbon-bridge.co.uk 07894 337077 wigwamholidays.com/ribble-valley 9 Shireburn Arms 01254 826678 23 Wolfen Mill Country Retreats shireburnarmshotel.co.uk 01253 675633 wolfenmill.co.uk 10 The Priory 01524791255 theprioryscorton.co.uk 11 Northcote 01254 240555 northcote.com

94 www.forestofbowland.com 95 Discover Bowland Itinerary – No 4 Day 1 AM: and Wray Today is dedicated to exploring the valleys carved by the The Hidden tributaries of the Lune- the twin rivers of the Hindburn and Roeburn. Head for the picturesque village of Wray, where artisans Bowland Dales and light industry have prospered for hundreds of years. It still has a rustic, slightly olde-worlde feel – as if it hasn’t changed much for a century or so. The rivers Hindburn and Roeburn meet in the village – just below the new Kitten Bridge – the original arched stone footbridge was swept away, along with several cottages, in the great flood of 1967. Park considerately in the village and explore via one of the circular walks featured below. The Roeburndale circular is a longer walk, but a wonderful chance to explore the beautiful woodlands that dominate this verdant valley. Look out for rare butterflies and woodland birds like the redstart and pied flycatcher. The woodland floor is carpeted in dense drifts of bluebells in May and the autumn colours in September and October rival those of New England. Post-walk, Bridge House Farm Tearooms offers a warm welcome to walkers for refreshment and sustenance.

Despite its proximity to the historic , the north-western fringe of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty retains the wild and You can access some -land Route Options rugged nature that characterises the Forest of across England with For more than 20 years out having to use Public during May, visitors have l Bridges & Wray Flood – 0.5 mile circular Bowland. Bounded by the rivers Wyre and Lune, the Rights of Way - this land followed the arts trail in and fells that dominate the skyline above Lancaster are l Rivers & Villages Ramble – 1.2 mile circular is known as ‘access land’. around the Lune valley, seeking out the studios and work places l Roeburndale Walk – 8 mile circular amongst the highest in Bowland - and For info on what you can Tarnbrook Fell – and offer exhilarating fell-walking of local artists. Please check and can’t do visit: website for any current Covid www.gov.uk/right-of-way-open- To download the above routes go to opportunities, but it’s the intimate valleys of restrictions before visiting. access-land/use-your-right-to-roam www.forestofbowland/walking Roeburndale and Hindburndale which reveal a gentler Visit: www.lunesdalearts.co.uk side to the elemental upland landscapes of Bowland. 96 www.forestofbowland.com 97 Day 1: PM: Day 3: In spring and summer, the gardens at Hornby Castle are open on designated weekends (check in advance at Abbeystead and Tarnbrook www.hornbycastle.com) – the snowdrops reach their Cafes and pubs are thin on the ground in this exquisitely peak in February and are a sight to gladden the heart remote corner of Bowland, so we would recommend as winter slowly gives way to spring. picking up a picnic prior to heading into the hills above The neighbouring valley of Hindburndale is accessed by Abbeystead. If the weather proves less than amendable a lane that follows the course of an old Roman Road for a picnic, a visit to The Fleece Inn may be in order. that crossed the Bowland Fells to Ribchester. Follow this If visibility is good, a drive up to Jubilee Tower is a must. to the hamlet of Lowgill, then head northeast towards The views from here are breath-taking, encompassing Bentham to find the Great Stone of Fourstones – a Lancaster and the Lune estuary, the Lake District fells, the huge glacial erratic which once marked the boundary Great Orme on the North Welsh Coast and maybe a between Lancashire and Yorkshire. glimpse of Snaefell on the Isle of Man. From Jubilee Tower, for the energetically minded, Ward’s Stone – the highest point in the Bowland Fells - is a Day 2 AM: short, but boggy walk east across the moors from where a track continues to the atmospheric Mountains & Coastline gritstone outcrop of Wolfhole Crag. This is demanding walking across some of the most The ‘Way of the Roses’ 170-mile cycle route goes coast remote parts of Bowland – strictly for hardcore to coast from the Irish Sea to the North Sea via the Red hikers. For a more rewarding circular walk, head and White Rose counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, north to the crags and outcrops of Clougha Pike, but this route covers a more modest 35 miles between returning via Rowton Brook and Hare Appletree. Morecambe and Settle – traversing some glorious Bowland countryside without too many hills. www. Just a short drive from Jubilee Tower is the pretty wayoftheroses.info hamlet of Abbeystead – named after a short-lived Cistercian Abbey which briefly flourished in the The route starts on the Prom at Morecambe and heads upper Wyre Valley in the 12th Century. along traffic-free cycle routes before following the upstream to its confluence with the Wenning and The Tarnbrook loop follows the Wyre Way round the contouring around the Bowland Fells to the Yorkshire headwaters of the , crossing its two main border at Clapham, and then south through limestone feeder streams – the Marshaw Wyre and the country to Settle. Tarnbrook Wyre. Be sure to take a slight de-tour into Bentham for a lunch stop, it’s a bustling little town with plenty of cafes and pubs. And after a hard day in the saddle, don’t worry if the legs fail you upon Visit Clearbeck House reaching Settle – Gardens – it’s a hidden simply hop on the gem! Open days at certain Bentham Line to let times of the year the train take the strain (part of the National on the return journey! Garden Scheme) www.clearbeck.wordpress.com 98 www.forestofbowland.com 99 Discover Eat & Stay 1 Bentham Golf Club 12 Fleece Inn 015242 62455 01524 791233 benthamgolfclub.co.uk fleeceinn.co.uk 2 Bowland Outdoor Reared Pork, Beef & Lamb 015242 62827 bowlandpork.co.uk Stay 3 Clearbeck Garden 13 Crook O’Lune Holiday Park 015242 61029 01524 917312 clearbeckgarden.org pure-leisure.co.uk/parks/lancashire/crook- 4 o-lune 1 4 Green Close Studios 5 11 015242 21233 14 Lakewood Cottages 10 19 greenclose.org 01524 751053 9 3 lakewoodcottages.co.uk 5 Hornby Village Institute 3 20 6 015242 22227 15 Lancaster House Hotel hornbyvillage.org.uk/institute 0333 220 3107 englishlakes.co.uk/lancaster-house 13 2 7 6 Maiden Bridge Gallery 01524261463 16 Moss Wood Caravan Park maidenbridge.co.uk 01524 791041 mosswood.co.uk 7 Open Road Open Skies 07421 095 838 17 Pattys Farm Barn openroadopenskies.co.uk 079578 88048 18 pattysbarn.co.uk 8 Wyreside Lakes Fishery 18  Valley Cottages 15 01524 792093 wyresidelakes.co.uk 01524 36873 quernmorevalleycottages.com 19 Riverside Caravan Park 21 015242 61272 14 12 Eat riversidecaravanpark.co.uk 17 9 Bridge House Farm Tearooms 20 Roeburnscar Holiday Cottage 8 015242 37775 015242 22214 facebook.com/BridgeHouseFarmWray roeburnscarholidaycottage.co.uk 16 10 Hornby Tearooms 21 The Gathering Fields Retreat 015242 21237 077912 54101 facebook.com/HornbyTeaRooms northernapproach.co.uk 11 Punch Bowl 015242 61344 thepunchbowlhotel.co.uk

100 www.forestofbowland.com 101 Discover Bowland Itinerary – No 5 Day 1: PM After arrival and checking in to your accommodation, if it’s still light, head to the Nick o’ Pendle above Sabden to watch the sun go down over Morecambe Bay. There’s very little walking involved, and as well as the amazing views from this vantage point 1200ft The Secrets of above sea level, it’s a great way to get your bearings. Pendle Hill Day 1: Evening After enjoying a spectacular sunset, descend into Sabden for dinner at the White Hart Inn. Look out for earlybird deals mid-week or just enjoy a pint of well-kept cask ale accompanied by some tasty tapas- style nibbles. Day 2 AM: Conquer The Big End There are at least seven spectacular routes to the summit of Pendle Hill – all of which have their distinctive qualities. Keen walkers will want to try at least a couple, or maybe even combine two routes to really get to know the contours and cloughs of this extensive massif. The classic Pendle Route involves ascending the infamously steep gradients of ‘The Steps’ but why not try an alternative route to the top via one of our ‘7 routes To the Top’ options (visit: pendlehillproject. com/explore-walking). Park on the edge of the village of Sabden and ascend the hill via Churn Clough reservoir, or start in Newchurch and walk via Ogden Clough Reservoir joining the cart track to the top, or Pendle’s slopes and summit have the spectacular and a fitting reward for the alternatively take the challenging concessionary route up the north wilderness feel of genuinely unspoiled challenging climb to the top. side from Downham. You’ll soon discover the wonderful variety by landscapes and yet this famous hill lies within Pendle is also popular with road cyclists, exploring Pendle Hill from every direction! easy reach of , , Preston, offering challenging climbs and exhilarating The views from the top inspired George Fox to establish the Religious Manchester and the wider northwest. descents and a chance to stop off for a Society of Friends – better known as the Quakers – after he climbed Pendle Hill forms the boundary between cuppa at the last surviving Clarion House the hill in 1652. urban Lancashire and the vast tracts of in Britain. wild countryside that lie to the north. And after an invigorating day on the trail For those with an appetite for adventure, or in the saddle, the area has a profusion Pendle Hill Access Code it’s incredibly accessible and provides a of pubs, cafés and restaurants providing Most of the Pendle Hill landscape is accessible to the public with much of the tantalizing foretaste of what lies beyond. top notch tucker for weary wayfarers. hill itself designated as open access land where walkers have the right to roam. But it’s still For walkers, there are at least seven Whether you’re on the trail of the important to respect the landscape and those with whom we share it – including livestock. different routes to the top and a wealth famous witches, in search of a new Here are the golden rules: of walks through the pretty villages and challenge, or simply want to admire the picturesque valleys surrounding the view from the summit, your epic Pendle • Keep dogs under close control, preferably on a lead • Stick to designated footpaths hill. On a clear day the views are truly Hill adventure starts here… • Clear up after your dog • Take litter home 102 www.forestofbowland.com 103 Day 2 PM: Day 3 AM: Uncover The Real Story of The Pendle Witches Take On The ‘Tour De Pendle’ Pendle’s association with witchcraft goes It may only cover 15 miles, but this challenging circuit for road back more than four centuries and while cyclists includes some of the most brutal hill climbs in England. the hill’s allegedly diabolical denizens put it Expect a handful of 20 per cent gradients and plenty of 10 per on the map, the truth surrounding what was cent ascents as you circumnavigate the hill via Sabden, Clitheroe, actually a monumental miscarriage of justice Worston, Downham, Barley and Newchurch. has only recently emerged. There’s more than 600m of ascent involved and fortunately, Back in the 17th Century a fearful and there are plenty of cafes along the way to rest and recuperate. If ill-educated rural populace was easily you happen to be here on a Sunday, take a short detour along manipulated by those prepared to abuse their Jinny Lane for a brew and a natter at Britain’s last remaining influence to curry favour with local nobles and Clarion House just outside Barley (Grid Ref: King James I, who was obsessed with witchcraft. SD 831396). www..org.uk/clarion-house/ In Newchurch, look for the ‘Eye of God’ on For the less energetically inclined, the picture postcard village the church tower and the ‘Witch’s Grave’ – a of Downham beckons. This idyllic stone-built hamlet is one tombstone inscribed with skull and crossbones of the prettiest in Lancashire, where the trappings of 21st at St Mary’s Church. Pop into Witches Galore Century life have been resisted by the Lord of the for souvenirs then head to Roughlee to find the Manor, so you won’t see satellite dishes or even poignant statue of Alice Nutter, one of the best known TV aerials. of the ‘Pendle Witches’ – in chains – as she would have This is where the cult black and white classic, Whistle travelled on that fateful final journey over the Bowland Fells Down the Wind was filmed in 1961, and more recently, to stand trial at the Lancaster Assizes. Enjoy a spot of lunch was the setting for the BBC drama series, Born & Bred. at the community-owned Inn – rescued and restored by the villagers after a devastating fire in 2016. Park in the little car park at the information barn and walk across to feed the ducks in the stream or enjoy Find out more about the real story of the witches along a Downham ice cream on the village green. Try one with the rich industrial history of the area at Pendle of four circular walks (details available in the info barn) Heritage Centre in – a quirky little mill village or download them from: www.pendlehillproject.com/ nestling beside , where you’ll find a good explore-walking selection of boutique shops and cafés. Historic Mill next to the bridge over Pendle Water is now home to a community of artists and makers who have opened studios there – they are open most weekends. Day 3 PM: Down On The Farm Don’t Miss: For great views of Pendle Hill and the chance to get an insight of the workings of a traditional family-run Stunning Views Without the Climb! organic farm, take the short trip from Downham to Gazegill Farm at Rimington where the farm shop Either head to the Nick of Pendle to admire the definitive view sells organic lamb and raw milk, cream and butter from Pendle across to the Bowland Fells, or for vistas stretching fresh from a herd of rare breed cattle. Or visit the north-east up the Ribble Valley into Yorkshire from the road over Milking Parlour, Sabden for raw milk direct from the ‘shoulder’ beneath the Big End from Downham are equally as the Gill family’s Freisian herd. impressive - especially on a clear summer evening! 104 www.forestofbowland.com 105 Discover 1 All Routes North 12 Sanwitches Café 22 Height Top Farm holiday 01200 423955 01282 775006 cottages allroutesnorth.co.uk facebook.com/ 01282 772009 Sanwitchessabden [email protected] 2 Alternative Adventure 01254 704898 13 The Cabin 23 Higher Gills Farm altadv.co.uk 01282 696937 0120 445370 facebook.com/ highergills.co.uk 3 Gazegill Organics Barleypicnicsite 01200 445519 24 Malkin Tower Farm Holiday gazegillorganics.co.uk 14 The Wellsprings Cottages 01200 427722 07950 31598 4 Outdoor Elements www.thewellsprings.co.uk malkintowerfarm.co.uk 01282 416396 outdoorelements.co.uk 15 The White Swan 25 Pendle Valley Caravan Park 10 01282 611773 01282 614755 27 5 Pendle Heritage Centre whiteswanatfence.co.uk pendlevalleycaravanpark.co.uk 01282 677 150 pendleheritage.co.uk/pendle- 26 Smithson Farm Caravan & heritage-centre Campsite 01282 788290 6 The Milking Parlour 9 16 3 Eat & Stay facebook.com/Pendlelancashire 07730 218139 16 Greendale View Kitchen 8 23 facebook.com/ 27 Stirk House Hotel 19 01200 441517 Themilkingparlour greendaleviewbandb.co.uk 07709 469215 18 stirkhouse.co.uk 1 7 Whalley Warm & Dry 24 01254 822220 28 The Boskins whalleyoutdoor.co.uk 07967 508245 13 30 25 17 5 Stay 29 The Rookery 14 29 17 Boothman Park 07738 261279 11 07837 243014 15 therookeryroughlee.co.uk 6 Eat boothmanpark.co.uk 21 22 8 Downham Ice Cream Shop 30 Thorneyholme B&B 12 18 Calfs Head 01282 612452 7 20 28 26 01200 441613 01200 441218 thorneyholmebandb.co.uk facebook.com/ calfshead.co.uk 4 DownhamIceCreamShop 19 Chestnut Cottage 9 Hudsons Ice Cream Shop 01200 440400 2 01200 441305 chestnut-cottage.com facebook. com/1947HudsonsIcecream 20 Cobden View Holiday Cottage 10 La Locanda 01282 776285 01200 445303 cobdenview.co.uk lalocanda.co.uk 21 Freemasons 11 Nest on the Hill 01254 822218 07414 001118 freemasonsatwiswell.com facebook.com/Nest-on-the- hill-109723624178291

106 www.forestofbowland.com 107 DISCOVER

AreaBOWLAND of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Relax, reset and reconnect with nature in the beautiful Forest of Bowland AONB

WHERE TO STAY | WALKS AND RIDES | FOOD & DRINK FESTIVALS & EVENTS | ACTIVITIES | EXPERIENCES www.discoverbowland.uk

Supported by: Search for accommodation with small independent businesses and plan your break with a custom itinerary © Graham Cooper Further Information

Getting to Visitor Information Centres the Forest of Bowland Visitor Information Centres provide a wealth of information about the AONB. There are several train lines which You are assured of a friendly, professional Walk This Way surround the Forest of Bowland and service whether you come from round the which act as perfect gateways into the world or round the corner. AONB. Stations often display information about walking and cycling and other l Bentham Tourist Information Point opportunities in the area. Town Hall, Station Road, LA2 7LF The Clitheroe Line terminates at Clitheroe Tel: 015242 62549, The Forest of Bowland offers some of the most Interchange and is the most central train Website: www.aboutbentham.org.uk station for Bowland. Other stations on beautiful and remote walking in the country, from the l Bowland Visitor Centre this line from Manchester and Blackburn Beacon Fell Country Park, Goosnargh, Preston, PR3 2NL grandeur and isolation of the moorland hills to the include Whalley and . To the north Tel: 01995 640557 there are several smaller stations along l Clitheroe Visitor Information Centre undulating lowlands with their distinctive pattern of the Bentham Line, which runs from Leeds Platform Gallery & Visitor Information Centre, to Lancaster and Morecambe: Long Station Rd, Clitheroe, BB7 2JT settlements, woodland cloughs and river valleys. Preston, Giggleswick, Clapham, Bentham Tel: 01200 425566 and Wennington. Settle and Hellifield can Website: www.visitribblevalley.co.uk be reached from Clitheroe on a summer l Garstang Tourist Information Centre These landscape contrasts, along with Top Tips for Safe Adventures: Sunday using the DailsRail service. Cherestanc Square, Garstang, PR3 1EF the serenity and tranquillity of the area The west coast mainline skirts Bowland, Tel: 01995 602125 make this a walker’s paradise. As well l Dress appropriately - avoid denim stopping at Lancaster and Preston. Website: www.discoverwyre.co.uk as the fell tops and moors, there are and any other clothing that doesn’t For further information visit l extensive opportunities for shorter and Lancaster Visitor Information Centre dry quickly. Sturdy footwear and www.nationalrail.co.uk The Storey, Meeting House Lane, LA1 1TH less challenging routes in the valleys, most waterproofs are also a must. Tel: 01524 582394 especially riverside walks which abound in l Carry the right equipment including Getting around Website: www.visitlancaster.org.uk the area. Ordnance Survey maps (OS Explorer l Pendle Heritage Centre We have a resource of around 50 walks on OL41, OL2 and Explorer 287); compass; the Forest of Bowland Colne Road, Barrowford, BB9 6JQ our website to suit everyone and these are first aid kit; high energy snack; something Tel: 01282 677150 While the remoteness and peacefulness available as downloadable pdfs or can be to drink; mobile phone (be aware that Website: www.pendleheritage.co.uk of the Forest of Bowland is one of its accessed via the ViewRanger App. coverage can be patchy); whistle. assets, it does mean that it is not always l Preston Visitor Information Point l Always let someone know where you’re well served by public transport. There is a Town Hall, Preston, PR1 2RL going and what time you expect to be back. bus network that links certain towns and Tel: 01772 906900 villages but as these services are liable to Website: www.visitpreston.com Follow this link to access the l Do not take any unnecessary risks. change, it is advisable to look at Lancashire l Settle Tourist Information Centre pdfs and ViewRanger links: l If you are in difficulty or see someone County Council’s website for further Town Hall, Cheapside, BD24 9EJ www.forestofbowland.com/walking in difficulty, please dial 999 and ask for information and before making a journey Tel: 01729 825192 Mountain Rescue. www.lancashire.gov.uk Website: www.settle.org.uk

110 www.forestofbowland.com 111 112 www.forestofbowland.com